A tragic fire broke out in a seven-storey office building in Indonesia’s capital, Jakarta, on Tuesday, killing 20 people and leaving authorities scrambling to search for additional victims. Officials confirmed that the blaze erupted around midday, rapidly spreading through multiple floors before fire crews managed to contain it. The incident has sparked widespread concern over building safety and emergency preparedness in the city’s commercial districts.

According to Susatyo Purnomo Condro, head of the Central Jakarta police, the fire began on the first floor and quickly advanced upward, trapping workers on the higher levels. Many employees were on their lunch break when the fire started, while others had briefly stepped out, contributing to the challenge of locating everyone inside. Rescue operations began immediately as smoke engulfed the building, affecting visibility and complicating evacuations.

Firefighters worked tirelessly for hours, battling intense heat and thick smoke as they attempted to rescue those still inside. Television footage aired by Kompas TV showed dozens of firefighters entering the building and carrying body bags, while others guided survivors through smoke-filled hallways. Some workers were forced to escape using portable ladders from upper floors, highlighting the desperate conditions during the blaze.

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The building houses the offices of Terra Drone Indonesia, a company known for providing drone services across industries ranging from mining to agriculture. The firm is the Indonesian branch of Japan-based Terra Drone Corporation, one of the leading drone technology companies in Asia. No official statement has yet been released by either company regarding the incident, and requests for comment have gone unanswered.

Authorities announced that the death toll had reached 20 by Tuesday afternoon, though the number may rise as search and cooling operations continue. “We are still focusing on evacuating victims and cooling the building,” Condro said, stressing that emergency teams remain on high alert. Fire investigators are expected to examine the building once the site is secure to determine the exact cause of the blaze.

The incident has raised serious alarms over fire safety compliance in Jakarta’s commercial structures, with many calling for urgent inspections and stricter enforcement of safety regulations. As rescue operations continue, families of the victims and missing workers gather anxiously outside the site, awaiting further updates in what has become one of Jakarta’s deadliest building fires in recent years.

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