This Article is From Jul 17, 2009

Terrorists target luxury hotels in Indonesia

Jakarta:

At least 13 people have been killed in Jakarta, Indonesia in blasts targeting two five star hotels in the city.

The Indonesian government says suicide bombers were involved in the attacks which come just days before the Manchester United football team was scheduled to visit and in fact stay in one of the hotels which were attacked on Friday.

The terror strike at the luxury hotel was caught on camera. Twin bomb blasts ripped through the Marriott and Ritz-Carlton hotels in the Indonesian capital on Friday morning.

The first explosion hit the Ritz-Carlton, destroying its façade; moments later the second blast hit a restaurant in the Marriott next door.

Most of the victims were foreigners. This is the second attack on the Marriott since 2003 when 12 people were killed.

"I heard a bomb blast at the Marriott and a lot of people were crying. And just 10 minutes after another blast took place. I went out of the hotel lobby, everything was destroyed," said Fernando, hotel guest.

The Indonesian government has said suicide bombers were involved. The immediate fallout - the Manchester United football team has cancelled their weekend visit for a friendly match with the Indonesian players. They were to stay at the Ritz-Carlton.

"At the moment we are investigating and the teams are on site. As for the issue of whether or not it was a bomb and the rest of it, we are in the process of investigating. We are looking into all possible angles," said General Wahiyono, Jakarta police chief.

The explosions come two weeks after peaceful presidential elections in Indonesia.

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