At least 9 killed in blasts at Jakarta hotels

JAKARTA. July 17. KAZINFORM Two high explosive bombs rocked two luxury hotels of Ritz Carlton and JW Marriot in central Jakarta Friday morning, killing at least 9 people and wounding more than 50,  Kazinform refers to Xinhuanet.

photo: QAZINFORM

 

The death toll rose to nine after the life of Timothy Mackay, the 60-year-old president of PT Holcim from New Zealand, could not be saved in hospital, the hospital official said.

Meanwhile an unexploded bomb was found in the 18th floor of the JW Marriot Hotel and the bomb squad is trying to de-activate it.

"On the 18th floor, we found an active bomb in a handbag. The bomb squad is evacuating it," said a police officer who declined to mention his name.

Earlier, Minister for Politics, Law and Security and Minister Widodo AS confirmed 8 people were killed on the sites. "Six of them killed in JW Marriot Hotel and two others in Ritz Carlton."

The minister said nearly a half of the victims were foreigners, among which were Japanese and New Zealand citizens,  Kazinform cites Xinhuanet.

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