20 killed in Jakarta building fire

At least 20 people were killed in a massive fire that swept through a seven-story building in Jakarta on Tuesday, authorities confirmed.

Several others were injured in the blaze, reports Reuters.

Jakarta Police Chief Susatyo Purnomo Kandro said the fire, which began around noon on the building’s first floor, quickly spread upward. Some employees were eating lunch inside at the time, while others had already left for a break. Although the fire was later brought under control, officials continued searching for anyone who might still be trapped.

Rescue efforts remained underway throughout the afternoon, with authorities working to reduce the intense heat inside the structure.

The building houses the Jakarta office of Terra Drone Indonesia, a subsidiary of Japan’s Terra Drone Corporation that provides aerial surveying drones for sectors including mining and agriculture.

Footage aired by Kompas TV showed firefighters evacuating survivors and removing bodies in bags, while some workers used portable ladders to escape from upper floors. Reuters reported that both companies operating in the building had yet to respond to requests for comment.