As many as 20 people have been killed after a seven-storey office building in the Indonesian capital of Jakarta caught fire, officials said on Tuesday.
Central Jakarta metro police chief, Susatyo Purnomo Condro, said they suspected a battery to have started the fire on the first floor of the building, which then quickly spread to six more floors.
Search and rescue teams had arrived at the spot in the morning and were trying their best to search for any remaining persons in the building, Condro said, adding that the bodies of the deceased had been taken to the hospital for identification.
The police chief also said the emergency fire services had successfully put out the fire, although search and rescue operations are expected to continue near the incident site.
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Meanwhile, Indonesian government authorities also confirmed on Tuesday afternoon that “the death toll has officially crossed 20”.
Officials said the building housed the Indonesian headquarters of Japanese drone manufacturer, Terra Drone Corporation. Most of the victims were employees and contractors of the firm.
Firefighters and rescuers also managed to evacuate dozens of other employees using portable ladders and aerial platforms.
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