Marriott death toll rises to 12

Damar Harsanto, The Jakarta Post, Jakarta

The terrorist attack on the JW Marriott Hotel claimed another life on Tuesday with the passing of a hotel security guard from the burns he sustained on Aug. 5, when a bomb exploded in the hotel's driveway.

Edi Sucipto, 31, died at Cipto Mangunkusumo General Hospital in Central Jakarta at 12:57 p.m. after his condition worsened.

"We did our utmost to save his life. Unfortunately, his pulse weakened and his breathing became irregular ... and then he died," said Dr. Ratna Farida, who was in charge of treating Edi.

Ratna said he had suffered burns on 65 percent of his body.

Edi had just started working at the hotel five days prior to the bombing. He is survived by his wife, Sri Lestari, 30, and son Yoyok, 6.

His family said that they planned to bury him on Wednesday at a public cemetery near his house on Jl. Kebagusan, Gg. Sawo, Jatipadang, South Jakarta, and declined further comment.

The Marriott bombing has now claimed 12 lives, while 147 others suffered various injuries in the blast.

Marriott public relations manager Mellani Solagratia said the hotel would consider the welfare of the victims' surviving family members.

"However, we have yet to decide on the kind of support we would provide them," she said.

The explosion, the fifth to rock the capital this year, has claimed the lives of five Silver Bird taxi drivers, one private driver, four hotel security guards and Dutch national Hans Winkelmolen, former president director of Rabobank Indonesia.

A severed head found on the fifth floor of the hotel was identified as that of Asmar Latin Sani, who police believe to be the suicide bomber responsible for the devastation.