JAKARTA, Indonesia -- At least 13 people were killed and scores
more injured Tuesday when a car bomb exploded outside a Marriott
hotel in a downtown section of the city here.
According to published reports, a car loaded with explosions
crashed into the lobby of the 33-story hotel. The driver then
detonated the explosives.
The Marriott.com Web site at www.marriott.com had the following statement:
"There has been an explosion in the vicinity of the JW Marriott in
Jakarta, Indonesia. We have evacuated the hotel, and a number of
people have been taken to the hospital. We are closely monitoring
the situation and are working with authorities to assure that our
guests and employees are moved to safety. We are assembling a list
of employees and registered guests staying in the hotel. An
employee center is also being set up. "
"For more information about guests or employees, please call
collect 01-402-390-3265 outside the United States or toll-free
1-866-211-4610 within the United States only," the statement
said.
Law enforcement officials said they believed the explosion was
the work of terrorists; however no group immediately claimed
responsibility for the attack.
On June 12, the State Dept. issued a travel warning for
Indonesia advising U.S. citizens to defer travel to the
country.
In the warning, the State Dept. noted that Bali, Indonesia, was
the scene of a major terrorist attack in October 2002, and that
"the potential remains for violence and terrorist actions against
U.S. citizens and interests."
The State Dept. cited the Jemaah Islamiyah organization as an
"extremist group known to have cells operating in Southeast Asia,
including Indonesia. It also is known to have connections with
Al-Qaeda."
To contact reporter Michael Milligan, send e-mail to [email protected].