Reports of blast in central Jakarta

There are reports of an explosion and several casualties in central Jakarta, with reports a police station was targeted.

The explosion was followed by a blast of gunfire, according to Jeremy Douglas, who works at the United Nations building on Jl Thamrin, where the chaos was unfolding around 11am on Thursday.

“Serious exchange of gunfire in downtown Jakarta,” he tweeted.

Local media website Liputan6 showed an image of a small police kiosk in the middle of Jl Thamrin destroyed, and several bodies on the ground.

Police blockades were preventing reporters from getting close to the scene.

Witnesses told TV reporters they heard several explosions, with reports of two, three or six loud sounds.

Metro TV reported police exchanged gunfire on Jl Thamrin outside the Starbucks cafe.

Television footage showed smoke billowing from the scene of the blast.

CNN Indonesia reported one of the victims was a foreigner.

Police blockades were preventing reporters from getting close to the scene.

Witnesses told TV reporters they heard several explosions, with reports of two, three or six loud sounds.

Metro TV reported police exchanged gunfire on Jl Thamrin outside the Starbucks cafe.

Television footage showed smoke billowing from the scene of the blast.

CNN Indonesia reported one of the victims was a foreigner.

Five ambulances arrived on scene around 11.30am.

A witness named Husaini told reporters at the scene the first explosion came from inside the Starbucks.

A man then emerged from the chaos with several guns and began shooting randomly, but particularly at police, he said.

“Suddenly there was a man with a gun, maybe one or two guns,” he said.

Five ambulances arrived on scene around 11.30am.

A witness named Husaini told reporters at the scene the first explosion came from inside the Starbucks.

A man then emerged from the chaos with several guns and began shooting randomly, but particularly at police, he said.

“Suddenly there was a man with a gun, maybe one or two guns,” he said.

Australia’s ambassador to Indonesia issued a safety warning to citizens in Jakarta.

“All Australians should stay clear of these areas, limit their movements and follow the instructions of local authorities,” Paul Grigson tweeted.

Image credit: iStock

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