This article is from the source 'bbc' and was first published or seen on . It will not be checked again for changes.

You can find the current article at its original source at http://news.bbc.co.uk/go/rss/-/1/hi/world/asia-pacific/8155084.stm

The article has changed 33 times. There is an RSS feed of changes available.

Version 6 Version 7
Fatal blasts hit Jakarta hotels Fatal blasts hit Jakarta hotels
(about 1 hour later)
At least nine people including some foreigners have been killed in two bomb blasts at luxury hotels in the Indonesian capital Jakarta, police say.At least nine people including some foreigners have been killed in two bomb blasts at luxury hotels in the Indonesian capital Jakarta, police say.
One explosion hit the Ritz-Carlton, ripping off its facade, and the other the Marriott Hotel. At least 48 people were injured.One explosion hit the Ritz-Carlton, ripping off its facade, and the other the Marriott Hotel. At least 48 people were injured.
A third blast went off almost three hours later in the north of the city - no injuries have yet been reported. No group has yet claimed responsibility for the blasts.
It is not yet known who carried out the bomb attacks. The BBC's Karishma Vaswani says security is extremely tight around the two hotels.
There were reports of a third explosion in northern Jakarta a few hours later but it was not immediately clear what the cause was.
I heard two sounds like 'boom, boom' coming from the Marriott and the Ritz-Carlton - then I saw people running out Eko SusantoSecurity guard In pictures: Jakarta hotel blastsI heard two sounds like 'boom, boom' coming from the Marriott and the Ritz-Carlton - then I saw people running out Eko SusantoSecurity guard In pictures: Jakarta hotel blasts
The BBC's Karishma Vaswani says security is extremely tight around the hotels.
The blasts occurred at about 0730 local time (0030 GMT).The blasts occurred at about 0730 local time (0030 GMT).
"I heard two sounds like 'boom, boom' coming from the Marriott and the Ritz-Carlton. Then I saw people running out," security guard Eko Susanto told AFP."I heard two sounds like 'boom, boom' coming from the Marriott and the Ritz-Carlton. Then I saw people running out," security guard Eko Susanto told AFP.
Geoffrey Head, on business in the city, told the BBC he did not hear the blast but that his colleagues had called him after it happened to tell him to leave the building.
"I looked out of the window - I could see down to ground level and I saw there was a lot of broken glass. I thought it was time to actually get out."
Mr Head said there had been no warning to evacuate the building.
"The surreal thing was going down in the elevator and walking through the lobby and looking across to my left and noticing the cafe was completely blown out," he said.
Myra Junor, who witnessed the blasts from a nearby building, told Reuters windows on the lower floors of the Ritz-Carlton had shattered.Myra Junor, who witnessed the blasts from a nearby building, told Reuters windows on the lower floors of the Ritz-Carlton had shattered.
Ambulances are on the scene and there is a heavy police presence, says our correspondent. Ambulances raced to the scene and there is a heavy police presence in the area, says our correspondent.
Finding the victimsFinding the victims
The president director of PT Holcim Indonesia, Tim Mackay, was killed in the blast, the company's marketing director Patrick Walser told Reuters news agency. Police said a number of foreigners were among those who died.
Unconfirmed reports say a New Zealander and a South Korean were injured. The president director of PT Holcim Indonesia, Tim Mackay, was among them, the company's marketing director Patrick Walser said.
Security Minister Widodo Adi Sucipt said a New Zealander was among the injured.
A 50-year-old South Korean man, Cho In-sang, was taken to hospital with minor injuries.
"I don't remember exactly but suddenly the ceiling is falling down and the sound was big," he said.
Consular staff are trying to track their nationals, and Australia issued a warning against unnecessary travel to Indonesia.Consular staff are trying to track their nationals, and Australia issued a warning against unnecessary travel to Indonesia.
An Australian man told local radio in Australia that his son had been hurt at the Marriott and was being taken to hospital.An Australian man told local radio in Australia that his son had been hurt at the Marriott and was being taken to hospital.
The man, who identified himself only as Jim, said his son had telephoned him from Jakarta to say his leg was wounded and he had lost hearing in one ear in an explosion.The man, who identified himself only as Jim, said his son had telephoned him from Jakarta to say his leg was wounded and he had lost hearing in one ear in an explosion.
"He's on his way to hospital. He's OK," Jim said."He's on his way to hospital. He's OK," Jim said.
Manchester United football team was due to arrive in Indonesia on Saturday and was booked to stay at the Ritz-Carlton. The blasts may raise doubts about the team's tour, PA news agency reported.Manchester United football team was due to arrive in Indonesia on Saturday and was booked to stay at the Ritz-Carlton. The blasts may raise doubts about the team's tour, PA news agency reported.
The two hotels are in Jakarta's central business district.The two hotels are in Jakarta's central business district.
The explosions come two weeks after peaceful presidential elections in Indonesia.
Past tensionsPast tensions
The attack comes just weeks after the country's presidential elections, won by incumbent President Susilo Bambang Yudhoyono. The attacks come just weeks after peaceful presidential elections, won by incumbent President Susilo Bambang Yudhoyono.
The country of 240 million people has been praised in recent years for maintaining a pluralist democracy while finding and punishing radical Islamists responsible for a series of bombings five years ago.The country of 240 million people has been praised in recent years for maintaining a pluralist democracy while finding and punishing radical Islamists responsible for a series of bombings five years ago.
Officials say they have no idea what caused the latest explosions.
Church bombings in 2000 killed 19 people.Church bombings in 2000 killed 19 people.
Bomb attacks on two nightclubs in Bali in October 2002 killed 202 people, most of them Australian.Bomb attacks on two nightclubs in Bali in October 2002 killed 202 people, most of them Australian.
The Marriott Hotel was the target of a bomb attack in August 2003 in which 13 people were killed. A bomb outside the Australian embassy in Jakarta in 2004 killed nine people.The Marriott Hotel was the target of a bomb attack in August 2003 in which 13 people were killed. A bomb outside the Australian embassy in Jakarta in 2004 killed nine people.
Since then, a combination of new laws, anti-terror training, international cooperation and reintegration measures have kept Indonesia peaceful, analysts have said.Since then, a combination of new laws, anti-terror training, international cooperation and reintegration measures have kept Indonesia peaceful, analysts have said.
Are you in the area? You can send us your comments and experiences using the form below:Are you in the area? You can send us your comments and experiences using the form below:
A selection of your comments may be published, displaying your name and location unless you state otherwise in the box below.A selection of your comments may be published, displaying your name and location unless you state otherwise in the box below.
You can also send your pictures or videos to yourpics@bbc.co.uk, text them to +44 7725 100 100 or you have a large file you can upload it here.You can also send your pictures or videos to yourpics@bbc.co.uk, text them to +44 7725 100 100 or you have a large file you can upload it here.
Read the terms and conditions Read the terms and conditions
At no time should you endanger yourself or others, take any unnecessary risks or infringe any laws.At no time should you endanger yourself or others, take any unnecessary risks or infringe any laws.
The BBC may edit your comments and not all emails will be published. Your comments may be published on any BBC media worldwide. Terms & ConditionsThe BBC may edit your comments and not all emails will be published. Your comments may be published on any BBC media worldwide. Terms & Conditions