Multiple Explosions, Gunfire Rock Jakarta In Deadly ISIS-Claimed Attack

• At least seven people died in a series of blasts and gunshots Thursday in Jakarta, Indonesia.
• Police said five assailants are among the dead.
• Indonesian President Joko Widodo called the blasts an "act of terror."
• A news agency linked with ISIS said the militant group was behind the attack.
• At least one of the blasts reportedly happened at or around a Starbucks store.An Indonesian police officer fires his handgun towards suspects outside a café after a series of blasts hit Jakarta on Thursday. Bay Ismoyo / AFP / Getty Images

  Multiple explosions and a gun battle rocked Jakarta, the capital of Indonesia, on Thursday, killing at least seven people. The attack was claimed by ISIS.

  Indonesian President Joko Widodo condemned the explosions as an “act of terror” on Thursday. He added that police were investigating.

  Later, Jakarta police spokesperson Col. Muhammad Iqbal told the Associated Pressthat seven people had died, including five assailants, AP reported.

  Several people have been reported injured. Netherlandic Foreign Minister Bert Koenders said a Dutch man had been seriously wounded, according to AP.

  Reuters reported that at least one blast went off in front of the Sarinah mall. A police post outside the mall was reportedly destroyed.

  Witnesses told AP that some of the explosions likely happened at a Starbucks store. In a statement Thursday, Starbucks said “initial reports are that an explosion took place close to our store in the Skyline building.” One customer was injured and all staff members were safe, the statement added.
  

  Oscar Siagian / Getty Images
  On Thursday afternoon local time, ISIS claimed responsibility for the attack, according to a news agency affiliated with the group, Reuters reported.

  Shortly before the claim, Indonesian national police spokesperson Anton Charliyan told reporters that the assailants “imitated the terror actions in Paris … they are likely from the [ISIS] group,” according to AP.

  Charliyan added that police had received a warning that there would “be a concert” — meaning an attack — on Indonesia in November.

  The AP also reported that some explosions happened near the Pakistani and Turkish embassies.

  Images purportedly recorded at the scene showed multiple blasts and clouds of smoke drifting between buildings.
  Indonesian police take position behind a vehicle Thursday. Bay Ismoyo / AFP / Getty Images
  

  Indonesian police pursue suspects outside a café Thursday. Bay Ismoyo / AFP / Getty Images

  Images from the scene showed what appeared to be casualties.

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  A body lies in the street in Jakarta Thursday. Bay Ismoyo / AFP / Getty Images
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  Two bodies lie in the street outside a damaged police post Thursday. Bay Ismoyo / AFP / Getty Images

  A video also showed a large crowd fleeing the scene of the explosion. (Warning: The video is graphic.)

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  It was not immediately clear how many explosions went off, but witnesses in the area reported hearing a series of blasts.

The U.S. Embassy in Jakarta issued an emergency message shortly after the explosions went off warning Americans to avoid parts of the city.

The message urged U.S. citizens to “avoid the area around Sari Pan Pacific Hotel and Sarinah Plaza on Jalan Sudirman Thamrin, in downtown Jakarta.”

The message added that the situation was continuing to unfold Thursday afternoon.

In its statement, Starbucks announced Thursday that all stores in Jakarta will be closed until further noticed.

“We are deeply saddened by the senseless acts that have taken place in Jakarta today; our hearts are with the people of Indonesia,” the statement added.

This is a developing story. Check back soon for updates

CORRECTION

It was unclear early Thursday how many attackers were killed or arrested. This post originally included specific numbers first reported by the Associated Press.