Suspected drone battery explosion kills 22 in Indonesia’s capital

ISTANBUL

A suspected drone battery explosion and a subsequent fire at a seven-story office building in Indonesia’s capital Jakarta left at least 22 people dead, including 15 women, on Tuesday, local media reported.

Twenty-two bodies had been found so far, including seven men and 15 women, said Central Jakarta police chief Susatyo Purnomo Condro, according to the Kompas TV.

"The victims were trapped in the seven-story building when the fire broke out this afternoon," Susatyo said, according to the Jakarta Globe.

Earlier, it was reported that authorities were continuing their search through the building, with a focus on the sixth floor, as access to it remained "particularly challenging."

More victims were still feared trapped.

According to the Tokyo-based Kyodo news agency, the site was likely "office of an Indonesian subsidiary of Japanese company Terra Drone Corp," which offers measurement, agricultural and other services using drones in Southeast Asia.

The fire is believed to have erupted after the explosion of a drone battery, quickly spreading to nearly the entire building, according to the Jakarta Globe. Emergency responders later evacuated the victims who ran to the rooftop.

A full forensic investigation will be launched once the fire is taken under control.