2009 Jakarta bombings

title	2009 Jakarta bombings
location	Jakarta, Indonesia
target	JW Marriott and Ritz-Carlton Hotels
coordinates	-6.22576°N, 106.82714°W -6.23045°N, 106.82593°W
date	July 17, 2009
time	07:47–07:57 WIB.
timezone	UTC+07
type	Suicide bombing,‡R1R‡ terrorism
fatalities	9 (including the perpetrators)‡R2R‡
injuries	53‡R3R‡
map caption	Location of the attacked, JW Marriott and Ritz Carlton

A series of bombings took place in Jakarta, Indonesia, on 17 July 2009. At around 07:47 until 07:57 WIB (00:47-00:57 UTC), the JW Marriott and Ritz-Carlton Hotels in Setiabudi, South Jakarta, were hit by two suicide bombers. The attacks were carried out five minutes apart.[2][4] Seven people were killed, including three Australians, two Dutch, an Indonesian and a New Zealander.[2] More than 50 people were injured in the blasts.[5][6] Both blasts were caused by suicide bombers, who checked into the hotels as paying guests several days earlier.[7]

The attacks

The Marriott bombing occurred first and was followed five minutes later by the Ritz bombing.[4] Police moved to seal off the surrounding area.[4] At noon local time, an unexploded bomb was found in room 1808 of the Marriott, together with bomb-making equipment.[13][14][15]

The Ritz-Carlton explosion is thought to have originated in the Airlangga Restaurant on the second story,[4] where people were eating breakfast.[2] There was said to be glass everywhere.[4] A part of the facade of the Ritz Carlton was blown away by the blast and windows had been blown out.

The Marriott bombing occurred during one of a series of periodic breakfast meetings of CEOs and other prominent (and predominantly expatriate) members of the Jakarta business community hosted by James Castle, president of AmCham Indonesia, a branch of the United States Chamber of Commerce in Jakarta.[16][17] The Marriott bomb was detonated in a small breakfast room rented for the event, and not in the main restaurant.[17] One witness said the lobby of the neighboring Plaza Mutiara building was destroyed in the explosion.[4]

The unexploded bomb in room 1808 of the JW Marriott hotel was programmed to go off prior to the other bomb there, but its timer malfunctioned. The Indonesian police believe the bomb was intended to create an atmosphere of panic, causing guests to flee their rooms to exit the hotel, and generating a significant crowd in the lobby. Had this occurred as planned, the lobby bomb may have taken a much greater toll.[18]

Casualties

There were a total of nine fatalities:[2] three Australians, one New Zealander, two Dutch tourists, and three Indonesians (including two suicide bombers).[19] The Australians killed were Austrade official Craig Senger, mining executive Garth McEvoy and Perth businessman Nathan Verity.[21] New Zealander Tim Mackay died; he was president and director of PT Holcim Indonesia and a master mariner.[22] The Indonesian man killed was Evert Mokodompis, a waiter at the JW Marriott Hotel.[23]

Sixteen foreigners were treated at Metropolitan Medical Center (MMC) hospital.[24]

2009 Jakarta bombings

Background

The attacks

Casualties

Investigation

Aftermath

Reopening

See also

External links

References