Indonesia Retirement Home Fire Claims Lives of 16 Residents

Fire at Indonesian Retirement Home Kills 16, Injures Three

A fire at the Werdha Damai retirement home in Manado, Indonesia’s capital city on Sulawesi island, has resulted in 16 fatalities and three injuries, according to local authorities. The incident occurred at approximately 8:31pm (12:31 GMT) on Sunday.

According to Jimmu Rotinsulu, head of the fire and rescue agency in Manado, firefighters responded to a report of the blaze at the nursing home. Upon arrival, they found 16 individuals deceased, with three suffering burn injuries. Many of the victims were discovered inside their rooms, where it is believed that many elderly residents were resting when the fire broke out.

Twelve people were evacuated from the scene and transported to a local hospital without sustaining injuries. The authorities have not disclosed further information regarding the cause of the fire.

This incident marks the latest report of a deadly fire in Indonesia, which has experienced several high-profile fires in recent months. In January, a seven-storey office building in Jakarta suffered a devastating fire that claimed at least 22 lives. Additionally, an explosion at a nickel-processing plant in the country’s east resulted in the deaths of at least 12 individuals in 2023.

The incident is under investigation by local authorities.

Source: Al Jazeera