'I have grave concerns for three Australians following the bombing in Jakarta earlier today. One of these Australians is an Australian embassy official,' Mr Rudd told reporters.
SYDNEY - Prime Minister Kevin Rudd on Friday said he had 'grave concerns' for an embassy official and two other Australians who are missing after bomb attacks in Jakarta.
Rudd was speaking as local media said an Australian official's death had been announced by his family following the twin attacks on luxury hotels.
'I have grave concerns for three Australians following the bombing in Jakarta earlier today. One of these Australians is an Australian embassy official,' Rudd told reporters.
'This is a very, very difficult time for the Aus families tonight and for many Indonesian families as our hearts, our thoughts and our prayers go out to each of them at this most trying time,' he added.
Rudd said he was awaiting further details before giving any more information. National news agency AAP quoted senior trade official Craig Senger's uncle as saying that his death had been confirmed.
'On behalf of the family, I would like to say they are very upset,' the uncle, Geoff Lazarus, was quoted as saying.
'As his uncle, I would like to say I am gobsmacked that Australian security officials would allow trade and embassy officials to go to these five-star hotels that are known terrorist targets.'
Rudd said earlier: 'Any terrorist attack is an act of cowardice. It is an act of murder. It is a barbaric act that violates the fundamental principles of human decency.'
Two blasts shook the Ritz-Carlton and the nearby JW Marriott hotel in Indonesia's worst militant attack since a series of blasts on the resort island of Bali in 2005. -- AFP
