It is believed that staff at the Fijian Embassy in Jakarta, Indonesia, are safe and in a lockdown mode after a series of suicide bomb attacks and gunfire rocked the Indonesian capital yesterday afternoon Fiji time.

The Indonesian media reported that blasts and exchange of gunfire have killed at least six people including three Police officers.

The blasts were reported to be close to a popular shopping centre, the Sarinah, where victims’ bodies were seen strewn on the sidewalk.

The media reported that three suicide bombers had targeted a Starbucks café in the shopping centre, while two gunmen allegedly attacked a nearby Police post, triggering a gun fight.

According to our source, staff at the Fijian Embassy were advised not to step out of the embassy as the shooters, who fled the scene, were believed to be still running around the capital on bikes and were heavily armed.

The Fijian embassy is located about 10 minutes away from where the bomb blast took place.

Jakarta Police have also warned people to stay indoors as they fear there could be more suicide bombers.

Meanwhile, Acting Permanent Secretary for Foreign Affairs, Esala Nayasi, couldn’t be reached for comments yesterday stating he was in a meeting.

Edited by Manasa Kalouniviti

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