Manado, N. Sulawesi. Sixteen elderly residents were hospitalized after being rescued from a late-night fire that tore through an elderly care home in Manado, North Sulawesi, killing 16 others and leaving the facility largely destroyed, authorities said.

The fire broke out at Panti Wreda Damai, a nursing home in the Ranomuut neighborhood of Manado, at about 8:36 p.m. local time on Sunday. At the time of the blaze, 32 elderly residents were inside the building. Half survived after being evacuated by emergency responders, though several suffered injuries and required medical treatment at hospitals across the city.

Officials said the intense fire engulfed much of the facility and the bodies were severely burned, complicating identification efforts.

North Sulawesi Police spokesperson Alamsyah P. Hasibuan said only one of the 16 fatalities could be identified visually. A joint police team involving forensic specialists, criminal investigators, and disaster victim identification units has been deployed to process the scene and identify the victims.

“The identification process is being conducted gradually in line with standard disaster victim identification procedures,” Alamsyah said.

Care home management is now seeking temporary shelter for the survivors. Olva Sumual, head of Panti Wreda Damai Manado, said the home has requested assistance from Manado Deputy Mayor Richard Sualang to help relocate residents displaced by the fire.

“We have submitted a request for help to provide temporary accommodation for the elderly residents who survived,” Olva said, as quoted by state news agency Antara on Tuesday.

Some survivors remain under medical care, while others are receiving assistance from local authorities and social services.

Police said an investigation into the cause of the fire is ongoing. Manado Police Chief Irham Halid said officers, supported by provincial police teams, are still examining the site to determine what sparked the blaze.

“We are currently conducting a thorough crime scene investigation,” Irham said. “Once the findings are clear, we will inform the public.”

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