Fire Kills 22 in Jakarta Office Building

A fire swept through a seven-story office building in central Jakarta on Tuesday, killing at least 22 people and injuring others, according to police officials. The blaze, which erupted around midday in the Kemayoran neighborhood, originated on the first floor and rapidly spread upward, filling the structure with thick black smoke that hampered escape efforts.

Central Jakarta police chief Susatyo Purnomo Condro reported the death toll at 22, an update from an initial count of 17, with most victims being women, including one who was pregnant. He noted that the fatalities appeared to result primarily from asphyxiation rather than burns, and the bodies were transported to a police hospital for autopsies and identification. "The number of victims who died is 22," Condro told reporters. Emergency teams continued searching the building for additional trapped individuals, as the toll could rise. Firefighters prioritized cooling the structure and clearing smoke before conducting a thorough sweep. "We will search the place again once it is cleared," Condro said.

The incident occurred at the offices of PT Terra Drone Indonesia, a company providing unmanned aerial vehicle services for...