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Aussies among Jakarta hotel dead

Presi Mandari 18th July 2009

AAP
TWO of three Australians killed in the bomb attacks on two luxury hotels in Jakarta have been positively identified, Indonesian police say.

Perth businessman Nathan Verity and Thiess Indonesia executive Garth McEvoy are confirmed to be among the dead, Indonesian National Police spokesman Nanan Sukarna told AAP on Saturday.

Austrade official Craig Senger, 36, is believed to among those not yet positively identified following Friday's blasts.

"We haven't identified three bodies yet," Sukarna said.

At least nine people were killed and 42 injured, including Australian Scott Mirilles, in the coordinated suicide bombings on the JW Marriott and the Ritz-Carlton hotels in central Jakarta.

There are fears the toll may rise.

Australian Foreign Minister Stephen Smith on Saturday was en route to Jakarta to meet with embassy and Indonesian officials, including his counterpart Hassan Wirajuda.

Smith said he would offer Indonesia any assistance Australia could provide.

"But it's also a show that the Australian government stands shoulder to shoulder with Indonesia at this terrible time," he told the ABC.

Australian officials will reassess the security situation in Jakarta in the wake of the bombings, which came without warning, Smith said.

"These hotels and other hotels were regarded as places where substantial improvements in security had been made," he said.

"(They) are used by the Indonesian government, foreign governments, international business people.

"But in the face of these terrible circumstances, in the cold light of day, there's a need to exhaustively examine all of these things and we will."

Verity's wife and father were also due to arrive in Jakarta on Saturday.

Jim Truscott, a friend of Verity, said the pair would formally identify his body.

"Once that is done it will enable them to bring him back to Perth for a funeral," Truscott said.

"Clearly they are very distraught and upset.

"We have a grandmother looking after their five-year-old son."

Verity, 38, ran a human resources and recruitment business out of Jakarta, but lived in Perth.

He overcame a battle with cancer just 18 months ago - a fight that only enhanced his zest for life, Truscott said.

"He was a tough, determined guy, he was a fighter. He was a guy you wouldn't forget.

"He was a very gregarious guy, a good-natured guy, good at business too."

Although his business interests had flourished, his first passion remained his family.

"They were absolutely his priority," Mr Truscott said.

"I don't think he was happier than when he was at home with them."

Senger's family spoke of their devastation as they waited for official confirmation of his death.

"Yesterday we were in shock but today we are devastated," Senger's uncle Geoff Lazarus said.

"We're still waiting for the official confirmation. Things have taken a little longer than we expected."

No group has yet claimed responsibility for the attack but police are exploring links to fugitive former Jemaah Islamiah terrorist Noordin Mohammad Top.

Royal Darwin Hospital remains on standby to treat people injured in the blasts.
© AAP

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