BOMB BLASTS ROCK MARRIOTT AND RITZ CARLTON HOTELS IN CENTRAL JAKARTA

Bomb blasts ripped through the Marriott Hotel and Ritz Carlton Hotel buildings in the central business district of Jakarta on 17 July 2009. The first bomb exploded at the Marriott Hotel at approximately 0800 local time, while a second bombing occurred at the Ritz Carlton Hotel -- located in the upscale Mega Kuningan commercial district -- approximately five minutes later. Authorities stated that at least nine people were killed and 50 others injured in the explosions, which damaged the facades of the two hotel buildings. Some foreign travellers were among the casualties, including citizens of the United Kingdom, the Netherlands, New Zealand, Australia, Italy, Canada, Japan, South Korea, and the United States. Unconfirmed reports claim the bombings occurred inside restaurants near both hotel lobbies. Police officers blocked off roads surrounding the hotels immediately following the explosions as emergency crews responded to the scene. Police officers stated that an unexploded bomb was later found by a bomb squad in one of the guest rooms on the 18th floor of the Marriott Hotel.