A massive fire tore through a seven-storey office building in Central Jakarta on Tuesday, leaving at least 20 people dead and several others feared trapped, according to local police and Reuters reports.
The blaze erupted around midday on the first floor of the building and spread rapidly to the upper levels. Thick plumes of black smoke rose over the dense business district, triggering panic among nearby residents and office workers.
Authorities said many employees were inside during their lunch break when the fire broke out, while others had stepped outside and narrowly escaped. Rescue teams rushed to the spot as flames engulfed multiple floors within minutes.
Central Jakarta police chief Susatyo Purnomo Condro confirmed that the fire has been extinguished, but search and evacuation operations remain underway. “We are now focused on evacuating victims and cooling the building,” he said, warning that the toll may rise as teams continue to comb through the structure.
The building houses Terra Drone Indonesia, a subsidiary of Japan’s Terra Drone Corporation, which serves sectors such as mining and agriculture.
Footage aired by Kompas TV showed firefighters using ladders to rescue people from higher floors, while several body bags were seen being carried out by emergency personnel.
Authorities said investigations are ongoing to determine the cause of the fire.
