Jakarta. At least 20 people have been confirmed dead following a fire at the Terra Drone office building in Cempaka Baru, Kemayoran, Central Jakarta on Tuesday afternoon, authorities said.

Central Jakarta Police Chief, Senior Commissioner Susatyo Purnomo Condro, told reporters at the scene that 20 bodies had been evacuated so far, including five men and 15 women.

“The victims were trapped in the seven-story building when the fire broke out this afternoon,” Susatyo said, adding that rescue teams are currently focusing efforts on the sixth floor after completing sweeps from the first to fifth floors.

According to witnesses, a loud explosion, believed to have originated from a battery on the first floor, was heard shortly before the fire erupted. Flames quickly spread, engulfing nearly the entire building. Employees on the upper floors panicked and ran to the rooftop to escape while calling for help. About 30 minutes later, emergency responders evacuated the victims using emergency ladders from the roof.

“Access to the sixth floor is particularly challenging, according to the firefighters on site,” Susatyo said, asking the public to pray for the safety and success of the joint rescue team as they attempt to reach the seventh floor where more victims may be trapped.

All recovered victims have been taken to the Police Hospital in Kramat Jati, East Jakarta, for identification.

Susatyo said the police would conduct a full investigation at the scene, while the National Police Forensic Laboratory (Puslabfor) will determine the cause of the fire.

Meanwhile, firefighters from Jakarta’s Fire and Rescue Department continue to battle the blaze and conduct thorough searches on each floor to ensure no one is left inside. Thick smoke and large flames are making visibility difficult, and authorities believe additional victims may still be trapped.

The fire was first reported by local residents at 12:43 p.m., and fire trucks were dispatched seven minutes later from nearby stations. By midday, 25 to 29 fire trucks and 89 to 101 personnel had been deployed to control the fire and prevent it from spreading to nearby buildings in the densely populated area.

Authorities plan to conduct a full forensic investigation once the fire is under control.

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