Bombs Explode in Jakarta: 9 Killed and More than 50 Wounded

At 00.30 GMT, two bombs exploded in the centre of Jakarta, the capital of Indonesia. One bomb exploded in the J.W. Marriott hotel and the other blasted the Ritz-Carlton hotel, killing 9 and wounding at least 50. According to police reports, another bomb was found unexploded in the Marriott. A third explosion was heard in northern Jakarta but there is still no official explanation for its cause.

Indonesia suffered terrorism at the hands of militant group Jemaah Islamiah until 2005. President Susilo Bambang Yudhoyono condemned "the cruel and inhuman attack" and said that it was "too early to say" if Jemaah Islamiah was involved.

Theo Sambuaga, chairman of the parliamentary security commission, stated that there were indications that suicide bombers had carried out the attacks. Government spokesman Dino Patti Djalal told CNN: "This is a blow to us... What we know, of course, is this was a coordinated attack... The president has built his reputation on anti-terrorism policies." President Yudhoyono added: "Those who carried out this attack and those who planned it will be arrested and tried according to the law."