Another black mark for the city today as JW Marriott and Ritz Carlton, two prominent hotels in the Mega Kuningan district of Jakarta were bombed.
@danieltumiwa was the first to report the blast as he was at Ritz Carlton this morning when he heard and felt the explosion at JW Marriott minutes before Ritz Carlton itself was shook by another bomb. His tweet was ahead of the media by a good 20 minutes. He was about to have a breakfast meeting on the 26th floor when the explosions occurred and had to leave the building immediately.
He told me over the phone that the scene at the lobby was utter chaos as smoke and debris covered the entire floor. While he himself was uninjured, many others were not so lucky. Reports up to this moment say 9 dead and more than 50 others injured. Daniel will have to go back to Ritz Carlton later to pick up his bike. Unsure how if at all, that is possible today given the heightened security at the scene.
First pictures after the explosions were posted by Galuh Riyadi via Twitpic.
Manchester United who was set to play the Indonesian All Stars on Monday at Gelora Bung Karno in Jakarta issued a statement to the press canceling their visit and considering to move the match to Kuala Lumpur.
The President made an official statement on TV from outside the hotels not too long ago in which he claimed that this attack was politically motivated and aimed at destabilizing the nation’s political, social, and economical status.
It was six years ago when the same JW Marriott was bombed killing 12 people, mostly Indonesians. The attack back then was claimed by Jemaah Islamiyah but this time no one has come forward and claimed responsibility.
While it may not be the time for Manchester United to visit Indonesia, it is time for Indonesia United.
AuliaSays 