Canadian dead in Jakarta attack, Indonesia tells Ottawa

OTTAWA - Ottawa said Thursday it was informed by Indonesian officials that a Canadian was killed in Jakarta when Islamic State-linked suicide attackers struck the capital of the Muslim-majority country.

Canada's foreign affairs ministry "was informed by the Indonesian authorities that a Canadian citizen has been killed in these attacks," spokesman Nicolas Doire told AFP.

"Our consular officials in Jakarta are working with local authorities to verify the information, which is not yet confirmed."

Five extremists launched the assault that also left an Indonesian man dead and 19 other people injured, detonating explosives and shooting at people in a district packed with malls, embassies and United Nations offices.

Canada's foreign affairs minister, Stephane Dion, in a statement offered "thoughts and deepest sympathies" to those affected.

The Islamic State group claimed responsibility for the attack, in a statement published online.