Bali nightclub bombings kill more than 180

Bomb attacks on nightclubs on the Indonesian island of Bali have killed more than 180 people, many of them foreign tourists, including British holidaymakers.

The bombs exploded late on the night of 12 October in the busy Kuta Beach area, a popular destination for young travellers and surfers.

The attack

A small bomb went off inside Paddy's Bar, and moments later a much larger car bomb exploded outside the Sari Club across the road, as people fled into the street. The blasts set buildings on fire and left a huge crater.

A third bomb exploded near the American consulate in Denpasar, the island's capital, causing no deaths.

Hundreds of people were injured, many with severe burns. The island's hospitals were overwhelmed, and some of the injured have been flown to Australia for treatment.

Australians and Britons among the dead

Bali is a favourite holiday destination for Australians, who make up the largest number of foreign victims. Many of the dead were young people on holiday or on sports club trips.

The Foreign Office has said that a number of British people are among those killed and missing, and has set up a helpline for worried families.

Who is responsible?

No group has claimed responsibility. Suspicion has fallen on Jemaah Islamiyah, an Islamist militant group in South East Asia that is believed to have links with al-Qaeda.

The Indonesian government, which had been criticised for failing to tackle militant groups, has promised to find those responsible, with help from Australian and other foreign police.

The deadliest attack since 11 September

The bombings are the deadliest terrorist attack since the attacks on the United States last year. They have raised fears that militants are targeting places where Westerners gather.

The Prime Minister, Tony Blair, condemned the attacks and said they showed the need to continue the fight against terrorism.

Australia's Prime Minister, John Howard, described the bombings as brutal and cowardly.

Tourists leave

Thousands of tourists are leaving Bali, and the Foreign Office has advised British people against travel to Indonesia. The island's economy depends heavily on tourism, and local people fear the effect of the attack on their livelihoods.

Families are travelling to Bali to try to find their loved ones, and the task of identifying the victims is expected to take weeks.