Jakarta Bombing: 9 Killed At 2 Hotels In Indonesian Capital

JAKARTA, Indonesia — Indonesia's security minister says nine people have been killed and 50 wounded in hotel blasts in downtown Jakarta.

The minister says a New Zealander was among those killed. Thirteen other foreigners were among injured in the blasts at the Ritz-Carlton and Marriott hotels.

The Marriott hotel was attacked in 2003, when 12 died, but it has been more than three years since a major terrorist attack in Indonesia.

THIS IS A BREAKING NEWS UPDATE. Check back soon for further information. AP's earlier story is below.

JAKARTA, Indonesia (AP) – A pair of powerful bombs exploded at two luxury hotels in an upscale Jakarta business district Friday, killing 6 and wounding at least 36, officials said.

The blasts at the neighboring Ritz-Carlton and Marriott hotels blew out windows and scattered debris and glass across the street.

Dr. Cahyonod at the Jakarta Hospital and a police spokesman said six people were killed. South Jakarta police Col. Firman Bundi earlier said that four of the dead were foreigners.

At the Metropolitan Medical Center, a list was posted with the names of 36 people wounded. An official at the registration office said 11 were foreigners. She declined to give her name because she was not authorized to speak to the media.

Alex Asmasubrata, who was jogging by the hotels, said he first heard a loud explosion at the Marriott. Five minutes later, a bomb followed at the Ritz.

The Marriott hotel was attacked in 2003, when 12 died. Southeast Asian terror network Jemaah Islamiyah was blamed in that blast, but there has been a massive crackdown by anti-terror officials, and it has been more than three years since a major terrorist attack in Indonesia and the network.

The Manchester United football team was scheduled to stay at the Ritz on Saturday and Sunday nights for a friendly match against the Indonesian All Stars, the Indonesian Football association said.

International hotels, which by their nature must be open and accessible for visitors and guests, make attractive targets for terror attacks. Complete security is virtually impossible, despite security barriers, metal detectors and high-tech surveillance gear.

Comments

[bismillah001]

MODERATOR: Why are you disappearing my comments? #Huffpoisawful

[MadHeart]

Just as in the US and other countries, the poor are getting poorer, and the rich are getting richer in Indonesia (from Wikipedia):

Political instability since 1998, slow economic reform, and corruption at all levels of government and business, have contributed to the patchy nature of the recovery.[90] Transparency International ranked Indonesia 143rd out of 180 countries in its 2007 Corruption Perceptions Index.[91] GDP growth, however, exceeded 5% in both 2004 and 2005, and is forecast to increase further.[92] This growth rate, however, is not enough to make a significant impact on unemployment,[93] and stagnant wages growth and increases in fuel and rice prices have worsened poverty levels.[94] As of 2006, an estimated 17.8% of the population live below the poverty line, 49.0% of the population live on less than US$2 per day,[95] and unemployment rate at 9.75%.[96]

[mimsnpips]

Lots of people on this thread need to get their facts straight. Or are totally ignorant which I doubt. Read up on the story before spewing your garbage on Huff. And if at all humanly possible, use common sense and leave your hate at the door.

[bismillah001]

Agreed.

[sugarmoes]

so i guess that whole, uh... heh heh... war on terruh thing is workin out well. eh? eh? heh heh... cain't git fooled agin!

[MadHeart]

It may have been in Indonesia, but those were American targets. Not every country wants to be Americanized. I thought the point of being a tourist was to visit and explore the native culture, not belly up to McDonald's and stay in American hotels. What's the point of travel if you crave what you're used to?

[bismillah001]

I understand your point, but I wouldn't suggest that a whole country be implicated in the support of actions like this. We'll see how SBY handles this.

[lsa090627]

Indonesia should be vigilant from terrorist. They have been attacked before.... Why do they allow again to happen again. Is this again an attack of Muslim terrorist. I hope not....

[MadHeart]

FYI, Indonesia is over 85% Muslim.

[miguelisimo2000]

++++++++++++++THE RELIGION OF PEACE STRIKES AGAIN+++++­++++++++++­++++++++++­++

Blame nobody but the Islamic/religious apologists

[sugarmoes]

and those who play into their game with heinous acts of their own.

[bismillah001]

The only thing that 'struck again' was, apparently, Jemaah Islamiyah. And your own 3rd rate intellect...

[DrDemon]

Those responsible for these acts are nothing but Phuckken Ignorant, Despicable @.$.$ H.O.L.E.S !

[Kaazz]

Natasha was there: http://www.thepunch.com.au/articles/i-heard-the-second-one-go-off-post-from-jakarta/

[laprelcreek]

Oh my goodness, hope AG Holder assures the people responsible for this receive their Miranda Rights, need things done right so SC Justice to be Sotomayor can dismiss any charges on grounds of "entrapment. and/or violations of 5th amdendment rights.."

[ckesegi]

If you wish to be understood, you should perhaps consider dropping the gibberish.

Besides, this is Indonesia we're talking about....

I don't ever recall it being a state of the union, therefore, Miranda rights do not apply, and further, SC Justice Sotomayer is not the appointee of any Indonesian court, soooo... where was I???

Yes... Try making sense if you wish to get a point across.

[WMDs]

I thought Obama was HITLER ?

Now republicans are worried that Obama is going to be to soft on "terrorist." ?
When we can't even stop people on the terrorist watch list from obtaining assualt weapons and explosives because the NRA is all about 2nd amdendment rights.

[hopefulinflorida]

What a stupid man you are.

[thundermummy]

That's funny, if you are completely ignorant.

[cliffhammond]

This could only mean that gay people are being tolerated in Jarkarta and God is POed.

[thundermummy]

You beat Pat Robertson to it!

[grapegrower]

well, it wasn't as though we weren't warned this was going to happen.

[smchp]

Before the uninformed start spewing.. This has been happening in Indonesia since well before 9/11. Every few years they blow up a 5 star hotel or in the case of Bali, a night club.

[smchp]

This just in.....Ch en ey blames Obama for not keeping Jakarta safe.

[kcam44]

and Hannity will concur!

[fallout4U]

We could send our CIA Ter-rorist hit team.........wait, scratch that!