LEGIAN, Bali — The fountain at Bali’s Ground Zero Memorial in Legian has stopped operating just days before the 24th anniversary of the 2002 Bali bombings, prompting complaints from foreign visitors and calls for repairs before the annual commemoration.

The memorial, formally known as the Bali Bombing Memorial or Humanitarian Tragedy Monument, is expected to host commemorative activities on October 12.

However, the fountain pool at the site was still dry when inspected on Wednesday, October 7.

Theolina Marpaung, coordinator of the Isana Dewata Foundation, said she had received complaints from foreign visitors about the condition of the fountain around two weeks earlier.

She later visited the site and confirmed that it was not operating.

The foundation, which organises annual peace-related activities and invites survivors of the Bali bombings, then contacted the Badung Tourism Office, which is responsible for maintaining the memorial.

According to officials, the problem was caused by an electrical issue involving exposed wiring inside the fountain pool.

Badung Tourism Office head Anak Agung Putri Mas Agung said repairs were already underway and confirmed that the fountain’s lighting system had returned to normal by October 7.

Water was expected to be refilled from the following day.

“Before the commemoration, we are targeting the Ground Zero facility to be operating again,” Putri said.

Theolina said the memorial should be maintained in a condition that properly reflects its international significance, particularly as survivors’ families and visitors from overseas are expected to focus their attention on the site during the anniversary.

The memorial marks the October 12, 2002 bombings in Bali, which killed 202 people, many of them foreign nationals.

The site has since become the focal point of annual commemorations attended by survivors, families of victims and members of the wider community.

Officials said they expect the fountain and surrounding facilities to be ready before this year’s anniversary.