Luxury hotels targeted in fatal bombings in Jakarta

The Ritz-Carlton and the Marriott Hotel have both been hit by bombs in Jakarta, Indonesia. At least nine people have been killed in the blasts and another 48 injured. Foreigners are among the fatalities and injured and the bombing at the Ritz-Carlton was so severe that it blasted the facade off the front of both hotels and left twisted metal in its wake.

The bombs went off within five minutes off each other with the Ritz-Carlton hit first. The attacks have so far gone unclaimed and security is tight around both of the hotels. The Manchester United players were due to stay at the Ritz-Carlton during their tour, which has now been cancelled due to fears of the safety of the players.

A national from New Zealand has been confirmed as one of the fatalities and named as Tim Mackay, president director of PT Holcim Indonesia. Only a few weeks ago President Susilo Bambang Yudhoyono was re-elected and the country witnessed a trouble-free election. The death toll may rise and staff at consulates are trying to trace all of the foreign visitors in Indonesia.

The bombs went off at 00:30 GMT, which was 07:30 local time Friday morning, both blasts are suspected to have gone off at the cafés in the two hotels. Police are speculating that the bombers may have been staying in the hotels.

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