13 Killed in Bomb Explosion in Indonesia's Capital

In a large bomb explosion in front of the Marriott Hotel in Jakarta, the capital of Indonesia, 13 people were killed and 149 others were injured. News reports indicate that a Dutch citizen was among the victims. Dozens of ambulances were dispatched to the J.W. Marriott Hotel in central Jakarta. The explosion, which occurred early Tuesday afternoon, severely shook the hotel lobby and caused walls to collapse. Windows were shattered up to the twentieth floor. Four taxis in front of the hotel were destroyed, and nearby buildings were damaged. The governor of Jakarta stated that the explosion may have been the work of suicide bombers, but no one has yet been identified as responsible for the blast. A hotel manager reported that none of the hotel guests were killed in the explosion. Megawati Sukarnoputri, the president, visited the site of the bomb explosion, which was planted in a car, and the U.S. Embassy once again warned Americans living in Indonesia to be cautious of terrorist attacks. In Washington, the White House condemned the attack and stated that the U.S. is ready to assist in bringing those responsible to justice. The Indonesian police chief noted similarities between this attack and the bombs that exploded last October on the island of Bali. The new explosion occurred two days before a court was set to issue its first ruling in the trial of Islamic extremists related to the Bali bombings, which killed over 200 people. Currently, four courts are trying suspects in last year's Bali explosion, which is said to have been carried out by a local terrorist group called 'Jemaah Islamiyah.' On Tuesday, the court session was addressing the role of 'Abu Bakar Bashir,' the leader of Jemaah Islamiyah. Several defendants in the Bali trial have stated that their goal was to kill foreigners, and the Marriott Hotel, located in the economic heart of Jakarta, is a favored spot for tourists and foreign businessmen traveling to Indonesia.