Fire in seven-story building kills at least 20 people in downtown Jakarta

Indonesian authorities confirmed the death of at least 20 people in a fire that hit a seven-story commercial building in downtown Jakarta on Tuesday (9). The incident began with a strong explosion on the first floor, followed by the rapid spread of flames. So far, 15 women and five men had their bodies removed from the rubble. Firefighters continue their firefighting and search operations on site. The teams are focusing their efforts on the sixth floor after completing the search of the first five floors. Residents reported that many victims were trapped inside the building. The local police chief, Susatyo Purnomo Condro, provided the numbers to the press at the scene. All bodies were taken to the Police Hospital for official identification. Witnesses reported a loud explosion on the ground floor shortly before the fire started. The impact destroyed part of the internal structure and facilitated the rapid spread of the fire to the upper floors. Many occupants ran to the roof seeking help. Most of the bodies were located between the sixth and seventh floors. The elevators stopped working due to the lack of electricity. Fifteen victims were women, and five were men. The search continues to focus on the sixth floor. Some occupants worked in offices in the building. Rescue teams are using mechanical stairs and cutting equipment to access blocked areas. More than 150 firefighters and 30 vehicles were deployed to the address. The firefighting work lasted several hours until the flames were completely under control. The operations are supported by police officers and paramedics. Authorities have cordoned off a four-block perimeter around the building. All bodies removed are being taken to the National Police Hospital. Relatives are already appearing at the scene for recognition. DNA tests will be performed in cases where visual identification is not possible. The official list of victims has not been released yet. The building has seven floors and housed offices, stores, and warehouses. Part of the construction is over 30 years old. The building is undergoing a structural inspection to assess the risk of collapse. City engineers are overseeing the work. The building is located in the Glodok commercial area, one of the busiest regions in downtown Jakarta. Traffic remains blocked on several nearby streets. Investigators have started collecting evidence on the ground floor where the explosion occurred. Samples of materials are being analyzed in the laboratory. Authorities are investigating possible gas leaks or short circuits as probable causes. The technical report is expected to be completed in the coming weeks. Police are keeping the site preserved for forensic work. Security cameras in the area are being gathered for image analysis.