Jakarta. Police have arrested the chief executive of Terra Drone Indonesia, Michael Wisnu Wardhana, in connection with a deadly fire at the company’s facility in Central Jakarta that killed 22 employees earlier this week.

Michael was detained on Wednesday night at his apartment in South Jakarta after Central Jakarta Police investigators arrived with an arrest warrant. According to police sources, he appeared confused and initially resisted being taken in, but later complied after officers verified his identity. He was brought to police headquarters for questioning.

Authorities say Michael has now been formally named a suspect in the corporate tragedy, which has drawn national attention due to the high casualty toll and allegations of safety lapses at the drone-technology firm. Investigators have questioned 10 witnesses, including employees, managers, and battery technicians, as they piece together the chain of events that led to the fire.

Central Jakarta Police Chief of Criminal Investigation Roby Heri Saputra said Wardhana is charged under Articles 187, 188, and 359 of the Indonesian Criminal Code, covering acts that cause fires, disasters, and negligence resulting in death. If convicted, he faces up to 12 years in prison.

Preliminary findings indicate that the blaze began with the explosion of a lithium battery from a drone unit undergoing charging. The blast ignited nearby high-capacity batteries stored in the same room, triggering a fast-moving fire throughout the building. Police confirmed that among the 22 fatalities was a pregnant employee who was present during the incident.

The fire broke out on Tuesday at Terra Drone’s office in Kemayoran, where the company ran operations involving energy-dense battery storage. The rapid spread of the flames left several workers trapped inside, particularly in the battery storage area.

Management at Terra Drone Indonesia has issued a statement pledging full responsibility for the rights and benefits of the victims. Umaidi Suhari, the company’s head of human resources, said employees, both permanent staff and interns, would receive all entitlements under Indonesian labor regulations, including social security claims and death benefits. The company will also extend condolence payments to families.

Terra Drone officials said they would personally visit each family to convey their condolences and provide assistance.

Police at the National Police Hospital in East Jakarta confirmed that all 22 victims have been identified following a three-stage reconciliation process. The remains will be released to families for burial.

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