Jakarta, July 17 (DPA) Two powerful explosions hit the JW Marriott and Ritz-Carlton hotels Friday morning in the Indonesian capital, killing at least nine people and injuring dozens of others, police and the security minister said.

Six bodies were found in Jakara's Marriott hotel, two in the nearby Ritz-Carlton and another victim died in hospital after the blasts, which took place during the hotels' busy breakfast time, chief security minister Widodo Adisucipto said.

Four foreigners were killed, including the president of the local unit of Swiss cement maker Holcim Ltd, Timothy Mackay, local media reported.

More than 40 people were injured in the blasts and were taken to nearby hospitals, Widodo said.

Television footage showed severely injured victims, including foreigners, being taken out of the Marriott hotel.

Smoke was rising from the hotels, and glass from broken windows and other debris were scattered on the ground.

Jakarta police spokesman Chrysnanda, who like many Indonesians uses only one name, confirmed that the blasts came from 'high-explosive bombs'.

'An investigation is under way by bomb experts,' he said.

The first explosion hit the Ritz-Carlton, destroying its facade, and the second blast hit a restaurant in the nearby Marriott a few minutes later.

'I was having breakfast in the nearby restaurant when I heard a very strong blast,' said Intan, an officer worker.

'I saw several foreigners covered in blood taken out of the hotel,' she told the TV One channel.

The hotels, connected by an underground tunnel and located in a business and diplomatic district, were popular with foreigners as a venue for business meetings because they were thought to be well-protected.

The blast was the second bombing on the Jakarta Marriott.