A tragic fire at an office building in Jakarta has claimed the lives of at least 22 individuals, as emergency services continue their search for casualties. The incident occurred at a seven-storey office building in the Indonesian capital on Tuesday afternoon, with authorities confirming that some workers were having lunch at the time of the outbreak.
City police chief Susatyo Purnomo Condro reported that the fire is believed to have been ignited by an explosion of a battery located on the first floor, which quickly spread to the upper levels of the structure. Among the businesses housed within the building is a company that specializes in drone manufacturing.
In a heart-wrenching detail, Susatyo noted that most of the victims were women, including one who was pregnant. Preliminary investigations suggest that the victims likely succumbed to asphyxiation from smoke inhalation, rather than burns from the flames.
As emergency crews and authorities work tirelessly to uncover the full scale of the tragedy, this incident underscores the critical importance of fire safety measures in workplaces, particularly in high-activity settings. The community is mourning the loss of lives, and support services are being mobilized to assist affected families during this trying time.