What Happened in the Nursing Home Fire that Claimed 16 Lives in Indonesia?
Synopsis
Key Takeaways
- 16 fatalities confirmed in nursing home fire.
- Identification process for victims ongoing.
- Fire occurred in Manado, North Sulawesi.
- Authorities are investigating the cause.
- Survivors evacuated to local hospitals.
Jakarta, Dec 29 (NationPress) The Indonesian authorities have initiated identification processes for 16 individuals who tragically lost their lives in a devastating fire at a nursing home in Manado, the capital of North Sulawesi province, as reported by local officials on Monday.
The remains of the victims are currently being identified at Bhayangkara Hospital of the North Sulawesi Regional Police (Polda Sulut), according to Alamsyah P. Hasibuan, the head of public relations for Polda Sulut.
He stated that the aim of the identification process is to establish the complete identities of the victims before coordinating with their families, as per reports from Xinhua news agency.
The fire erupted around 8:36 p.m. local time on Sunday at the Panti Werdha Damai nursing home, situated in Ranomuut Sub-district, Paal Dua District, Manado. The flames were brought under control at approximately 9:30 p.m. after three fire engines, dispatched by the Manado city government, arrived at the location.
Upon receiving reports of the blaze, police officers swiftly secured the area and participated in rescue operations. Survivors were taken to Manado City Regional Hospital and Permata Bunda Hospital, while the deceased were moved for further handling.
Police forensic teams have commenced an investigation, which includes examining the crime scene and interviewing witnesses, to ascertain the sequence of events and the preliminary cause of the fire, Hasibuan confirmed.
Earlier, on December 22, a separate incident resulted in 15 fatalities and 19 injuries in a bus accident at the intersection of the Krapyak toll exit in Semarang city, Central Java province, according to local officials.
The Semarang Search and Rescue Office indicated that the passenger bus was reportedly traveling at high speed when the driver lost control, causing the vehicle to collide with a road barrier and overturn.
"The evacuation process was quite challenging as some victims were trapped inside the bus, and access was hindered by broken glass," stated Budiono, head of the Semarang Search and Rescue Office. "Rescue personnel had to enter the overturned bus, create access for the victims, and evacuate them with utmost caution."
The office confirmed that all victims have been successfully evacuated and transported to local hospitals.