At least two improvised explosive devices detonated in the Mega Kuningan business district of Jakarta, Indonesia, early Friday Morning near the Ritz-Carlton and Marriott hotels.

Stay tuned on this page, the latest news will be posted and updated as and when it comes in.

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Posted July 18 at 09:00AM
Watch video of the explosions from the Associated Press in a new window.

http://video.ap.org/?t=By%20Section/World&p=&f=KMOV&g=0717dvs_indonesia_explosions

Posted July 21 at 1:15PM
Marriott Statement Related to Jakarta Explosion 

Our deepest sympathies go out to the victims of the tragic bombings that took place on Friday, July 17th, in Jakarta, Indonesia.  Immediately following the incident, police and hotel security responded and sealed off the area.  Our guests at both properties were evacuated and moved to other nearby hotels.  Injured guests and hotel employees were taken to the hospital for treatment. 

Both hotels sustained damage, but it does not appear to be structural.  At the time of the incident, extensive security procedures were in place at the Ritz-Carlton and the JW Marriott.  We continue to work closely with the authorities and hope to reopen the hotels soon.  As always, the safety and security of our guests and employees is our top priority.

So far no statement has been issued by The Rotz-Carlton Company.


Posted July 18 at 08:45AM
Bloomber reported:

Australians are urged to avoid The bombings bear the hallmark of Southeast Asian militant group Jemaah Islamiyah, terrorism analyst Rohan Gunaratna said. "The intelligence and security services have been caught by surprise," he said. "The bombings show that JI is revived."

Indonesia has been free of terrorist attacks since 2005 after a six-year bombing campaign blamed on Jemaah Islamiyah left about 280 people dead.


Posted July 17 at 10:25PM
Australians are urged to avoid travelling to Indonesia and the Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade said that it had received advice that terrorists could be planning more attacks, particularly on the island of Bali.


Posted July 17 at 10:25PM
No statement was issued by the Ritz-Carlton Hotel company as yet.


Posted July 17 at 16:15PM
A statement from Marriott:

At approximately 7:48 a.m. local time, explosions occurred at the JW Marriott and Ritz-Carlton Hotels in Jakarta, Indonesia. Our deepest sympathies go out to the victims and their families of this tragic incident. Police responded immediately and sealed off the area. Guests at both hotels have been evacuated. The guests have been moved to a secure location. We are monitoring the situation and are working closely with the authorities. As always, the safety and security of our guests and associates is a high priority.

For guest information, please contact the Marriott Family Assistance Hotline at 866/211-4610 or 402/390-3265. www.blogs.marriott.com/default.asp?item=2400925


Posted July 17 at 16:15PM
BBC reported that the blast took place in an underground carparking and triggered a chain explosion amongst the cars and that the deatoll has risen to at least 13 people.


First posting July 17 at 14:15PM
The first explosion occurred at the Ritz-Carlton hotel which caused extensive damage to the front facade of the hotel, followed by the Marriott hotel shortly after. The location was same when struck in August 2003.

Stratfor reported: Several foreign embassies are reportedly also located in the area. Local reports describe witnesses observing white smoke coming from several structures, while other buildings were being evacuated.

Further details are sketchy at this point. It is unclear exactly where the devices were placed or how large they were, though some photos of the Ritz show damage that would be consistent with a small device being detonated inside.

Early casualty reports described four people killed, though if the damage to the Ritz-Carlton is as extensive as described, the casualty count will likely rise.

Both companies have not issued any statements as yet.

Are you in Jakarta? Send us your stories, pictures and videos.

• Hong Kong time (UTC/GMT + 8 hours).
• Area maps source: Stratfor - www.stratfor.com