WASHINGTON (CNN) -- The U.S. Department of State has strengthened a travel warning issued earlier this week against travel in Indonesia, ordering the departure of non-essential personnel and all dependents of employees at the embassies in Jakarta and Surabaya.

At least 160 people have been killed in rioting in the last few days, including 110 or more who perished in a fire that swept through a shopping mall while the rioters were looting.

The State Department continues to warn Americans to "defer non-essential travel to Indonesia" in light of the widespread riots and protests against Indonesian President Suharto and an economic crisis that has grown steadily worse. The latest round of violence followed protests at Jakarta's Trisakti University on Wednesday against the killing of six students in clashes with security forces the previous day.

Sound off on our Travel Message Boards You said it...

Weather: Jakarta, Indonesia City Guides and Maps: Indonesia

Related stories:

• Riots rock Jakarta - May 14, 1998
• Indonesia's military tightens grip on unrest - May 7, 1998

Related sites:

• U.S. Embassy in Jakarta
• Embassy of the Republic of Indonesia
• U.S. Consular Information Sheet: Indonesia
• CDC Travelers' Health: Southeast Asia

Search for related CNN stories:   [Help] Tip: You can restrict your search to the title of a document. Example: title:New Year's Resolutions

© 1998 Cable News Network, Inc.
A Time Warner Company
All Rights Reserved.

Terms under which this service is provided to you.