Blast from two car bombs damages Jakarta stock exchange

JAKARTA, Indonesia -- A blast caused by two car bombs rocked Jakarta's stock exchange on Wednesday, sending panicked workers fleeing from the building and fueling fears of renewed instability in strife-torn Indonesia.

Interactive Map Fragile Archipelago -- a look at conflict areas in Indonesia and environs     MESSAGE BOARD Strife in Indonesia

At least 26 people were injured, three of them seriously. Police said they did not know who planted the bombs.

Bourse officials immediately suspended trading.

"We heard a loud explosion. Everyone is running out of the building," one witness told Reuters.

Smoke poured out of the exchange, in Jakarta's central business district, the witness said. The complex also houses the World Bank offices.

Firefighters said they had been able to clear the upper stories of the multi-story exchange but had not been able to get to the basement area where they feared people -- many of them drivers who were with their cars -- were trapped.

The blast comes a day before the resumption of disgraced former President Suharto's corruption trial. There have been fears that attempts to bring the former general to trial could spark a violent backlash from supporters.

Reuters contributed to this report.

UN Council to send mission to Indonesia next week
September 11, 2000
UN Council to send mission to Indonesia next week
September 11, 2000
Indonesia names 19 as suspects in East Timor violence
September 1, 2000

The World Bank Group
PEMDA DKI Homepage

Note: Pages will open in a new browser window

External sites are not endorsed by CNN Interactive.