(News) Jakarta Bombings 17-07-09 (Updated x2)
Posted: Fri Jul 17, 2009 8:08 am
Today Jakarta saw two attacks to luxury Hotels, both the J.W Marriot and the Ritz Carlton, these attacks were coordinated, and most likely by the same group, the J.W Marriot bomb exploded at around 7:50am local time, and the Ritz Carlton one followed 5 mins after at around 7:55am local time.
Both bombs were from within the hotel itself, The Ritz Carlton bomb apparently in the Hotel Cafe, and the J.W Marriot bomb apparently on the 2nd floor. The bombs were not Car Bombs, however were still high explosives, and no information on whether these were suicide bombs has surfaced
Both hotels have one of Jakarta's tightest security measures, employing full car checks, metal detectors and x-ray machines. These are a result of the 2003 attack on the J.W Marriot where a car bomb exploded as it arrived at the lobby.
Having bypassed these security measures, it is believed that someone within both Hotel's security was involved, although there has been no official word. Furthermore, although foreign media believes that this is the work of the Radical Relegious terror group here in Indonesia, the local media and government believe otherwise saying that this was a political attack against the newly re-elected Preseident SBY.
There has also been a threat going circulating that 8 other targets in Jakarta are on alert, and one bomber was apprehended at a Shopping Mall hours ago, having been unable to deploy his bomb.
Update
Another explosive device was discovered on the 18th floor of the J.W Marriot, luckily it was defused without exploding, and an investigation is now underway to find out how the bomb made it up to the 18th floor and into a guest room.
Manchester United FC has canceled the Indonesian leg of their Asian tour, where they were to play a friendly match on Monday 20th of July against the Indonesian All-Star team, to a sell out crowd of nearly 100,000 Spectators. They were due to stay at the Ritz Carlton hotel, but are confident the attacks were not against them. They wish the Indonesian people the best in this time of need.
CCTV footage of a man wearing a Black Hat and Vest, dragging a suit case was seen entering the Restaurant of the J.W Marriot moments before the explosion.
Metro TV - Local Station Best Footage So Far
More Information can be followed up:
http://www.thejakartapost.com/ <--Local News Media
http://news.bbc.co.uk/ <--British News Media
http://www.cnn.com/ <--American News Media
Pictures
I-Report Photos, Some Discretion Advised
---------------
The above was the more formal explanation of today's events that i wanted to share with you. However, this is how my day went:
I was asleep, and at about 8am i was woken out of bed by a loud explosion sound, much like ones i have experienced before from past bombings, at first i was in a daze, unsure what had happened. My maid was in the living room looking out the area of Mega Kuningan, where the J.W Marriot was located and you could see a plume of smoke rising in the distance, i rushed to my parents bedroom to wake them up, they were still sleeping, as i woke them and told them about what happen, whilst i made my way back to the Living room balcony, a second explosion was heard as the Bomb in the Ritz Carlton went off, by this time you could hear EMS already responding to the first bomb, and there was police, ambulances, firefighters and other emergency vehicles everywhere.
As we watched, a second plume of smoke rose into the air, it was obvious what had happened, this time you saw people gathering in a large open field which was made into a seclusion zone and then the News feeds started to come in. People were obviously scared, afraid that another bomb would go off.
We spent most of the morning watching the news, getting calls from friends and family around the world, ensuring them we were ok. However, i've been receiving security reports saying that at leas 8 other targets were possibly marked for today, and that i should remain in my apartment at all times.
Well, that's it for now, if i have anymore information to offer you, i will.
My heart goes out for the people affected by this, and the city i love
~Key-J
Both bombs were from within the hotel itself, The Ritz Carlton bomb apparently in the Hotel Cafe, and the J.W Marriot bomb apparently on the 2nd floor. The bombs were not Car Bombs, however were still high explosives, and no information on whether these were suicide bombs has surfaced
Both hotels have one of Jakarta's tightest security measures, employing full car checks, metal detectors and x-ray machines. These are a result of the 2003 attack on the J.W Marriot where a car bomb exploded as it arrived at the lobby.
Having bypassed these security measures, it is believed that someone within both Hotel's security was involved, although there has been no official word. Furthermore, although foreign media believes that this is the work of the Radical Relegious terror group here in Indonesia, the local media and government believe otherwise saying that this was a political attack against the newly re-elected Preseident SBY.
There has also been a threat going circulating that 8 other targets in Jakarta are on alert, and one bomber was apprehended at a Shopping Mall hours ago, having been unable to deploy his bomb.
Update
Another explosive device was discovered on the 18th floor of the J.W Marriot, luckily it was defused without exploding, and an investigation is now underway to find out how the bomb made it up to the 18th floor and into a guest room.
Manchester United FC has canceled the Indonesian leg of their Asian tour, where they were to play a friendly match on Monday 20th of July against the Indonesian All-Star team, to a sell out crowd of nearly 100,000 Spectators. They were due to stay at the Ritz Carlton hotel, but are confident the attacks were not against them. They wish the Indonesian people the best in this time of need.
CCTV footage of a man wearing a Black Hat and Vest, dragging a suit case was seen entering the Restaurant of the J.W Marriot moments before the explosion.
Metro TV - Local Station Best Footage So Far
More Information can be followed up:
http://www.thejakartapost.com/ <--Local News Media
http://news.bbc.co.uk/ <--British News Media
http://www.cnn.com/ <--American News Media
Pictures
I-Report Photos, Some Discretion Advised
---------------
The above was the more formal explanation of today's events that i wanted to share with you. However, this is how my day went:
I was asleep, and at about 8am i was woken out of bed by a loud explosion sound, much like ones i have experienced before from past bombings, at first i was in a daze, unsure what had happened. My maid was in the living room looking out the area of Mega Kuningan, where the J.W Marriot was located and you could see a plume of smoke rising in the distance, i rushed to my parents bedroom to wake them up, they were still sleeping, as i woke them and told them about what happen, whilst i made my way back to the Living room balcony, a second explosion was heard as the Bomb in the Ritz Carlton went off, by this time you could hear EMS already responding to the first bomb, and there was police, ambulances, firefighters and other emergency vehicles everywhere.
As we watched, a second plume of smoke rose into the air, it was obvious what had happened, this time you saw people gathering in a large open field which was made into a seclusion zone and then the News feeds started to come in. People were obviously scared, afraid that another bomb would go off.
We spent most of the morning watching the news, getting calls from friends and family around the world, ensuring them we were ok. However, i've been receiving security reports saying that at leas 8 other targets were possibly marked for today, and that i should remain in my apartment at all times.
Well, that's it for now, if i have anymore information to offer you, i will.
My heart goes out for the people affected by this, and the city i love
~Key-J
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