A massive and tragic fire erupted in a seven-storey office building in Central Jakarta, Indonesia, on Tuesday, leading to heavy casualties. The blaze, which reportedly broke out in the afternoon, quickly engulfed the structure, sending huge plumes of dense black smoke billowing into the sky over the busy neighbourhood. Police and emergency officials confirmed the catastrophic incident, with initial reports indicating at least 20 people have been killed. The rapid spread of the fire and the choking smoke created a panic, leaving many workers trapped inside the building.
High Death Toll as Search and Rescue Efforts Intensify
The fire led to a desperate and prolonged operation by dozens of firefighters to contain the flames and reach those stuck inside. Videos circulated on local media showed flames visibly shooting out of the upper floors of the structure, while emergency crews were seen carrying multiple body bags from the charred remains of the building. Authorities have warned that the death toll, which had reached 20 by Tuesday afternoon, could potentially rise as search and rescue operations are expected to continue into the night to check for more possible victims.
Building Identified as Tech Company Office
Authorities confirmed that the affected structure houses the offices of Terra Drone Indonesia, a company specializing in providing drone services for various sectors, including mining and agriculture. The fire is believed to have originated on the first floor around midday before quickly propagating to the upper levels. Police officials stated that some of the employees were having lunch at the time of the fire's outbreak, while others were in their offices. The incident has raised questions regarding building safety and emergency evacuation procedures in Jakarta's commercial zones.
Investigation Underway into Cause of Fire
While the massive blaze has been brought under control, the focus now shifts to determining the exact cause of the tragedy. Central Jakarta police have stated that an investigation has been immediately launched to ascertain what ignited the fire and how it managed to spread so quickly throughout the seven-storey structure, leading to such a high number of fatalities. The incident has sent shockwaves across the capital and serves as a grim reminder of the fire safety challenges in densely populated urban environments.
