An Indonesian cathedral was rocked by a suicide bombing on March 28 with body parts littering the chaotic scene as Christians inside celebrated the start of Holy Week.

The powerful blast at the church in Makassar city on Sulawesi island happened around 10:30am local time (0330 GMT) and left at least 14 church officials and congregants injured by debris, police said.

It was not clear if their wounds were life threatening.

National Police spokesman Argo Yuwono said: “There were two people riding on a motorbike when the explosion happened at the main gate of the church – the perpetrators were trying to enter the compound.

“The bike was destroyed and there are body parts . . . We’re still collecting parts and trying to identify the sex of the perpetrators.”

Earlier, local police had said at least one bomber died at the scene. They have not confirmed if both attackers were killed.

Makassar mayor Mohammad Ramdhan said: “There are many body parts here at the church compound as well as in the street.”

A witness at the scene described the explosion as “very strong”.

Police said a church security guard tried to prevent the motorbike from entering the compound when the blast occurred.

The explosion at the main Catholic cathedral in Makassar – a port city of about 1.5 million – happened just after congregants finished celebrating Palm Sunday, the first day of Holy Week, which commemorates Jesus’ entry into Jerusalem.

It comes a week before Easter.

Pastor Wilhelmus Tulak told reporters: “We were finishing the service and people were going home when it happened.”