Multiple blasts have rocked the Marriot and Ritz-Carlton hotels in Jakarta, killing at least four and injuring more.
In fact, local media reports that the death toll has climbed to eight. Local officials say that multiple foreigners are amongst the fatalities.
“There were explosions heard from two separate places, one the JW Marriott, the other in the Ritz Carlton,” South Jakarta Police Chief Firman Santyabudi told AP.
“We are still trying to check because right now we are still helping the victims,” he said.
Myra Junor witnessed the blasts from a nearby building and said windows on the lower floors of the Ritz-Carlton had shattered.
The two hotels are in Jakarta’s central business district.
The explosions come two weeks after presidential elections in Indonesia.
According to BNO News, the Marriot hotel explosion took place at the same location as a 2003 attack that claimed 12 lives and injured over 150 others.
Also, the Manchester United team was scheduled to stay at the Ritz-Carlton hotel on Sunday. Not sure if it’s related.


by Stephan Tawney on July 16, 2009