Fire Tragedy at Indonesian Nursing Home Results in 16 Deaths, 3 Injured

Post by : Mina Rahman

A catastrophic fire erupted late Sunday in Manado, North Sulawesi's nursing home for the elderly, claiming the lives of 16 individuals and injuring three more. The blaze ignited around 8:30 PM local time and swiftly engulfed the facility, leaving residents with little opportunity for escape.

Firefighters quickly responded to the distress calls and arrived at the Damai retirement home to discover numerous victims stranded in their rooms. Initial reports suggest that many of those who perished were resting when the fire broke out. By 9:30 PM, the fire was brought under control and fully extinguished.

Local officials conveyed that the victims' bodies were extensively charred, complicating the identification process. Authorities have called upon the families of the deceased to assist in identifying their loved ones, as many were found in a severely disfigured state.

A local resident, Steven Mokodompit, played a vital role in evacuating nursing home occupants. He recounted how the fire originated in the kitchen and rapidly spread throughout the premises. Steven and fellow residents used tables and ladders to facilitate escape from the rear of the building. Amidst the chaos, explosive sounds and cries for help were reported, emphasizing the perilous situation.

Investigators are working to understand the fire's cause, underscoring the fragility of elderly populations in emergency scenarios, particularly within care facilities.

Tragically, such deadly fires are prevalent in Indonesia. Earlier this month, a fire in a seven-story office building in Jakarta resulted in 22 fatalities, raising significant alarms regarding fire safety measures and emergency readiness. The recent incident at the nursing home highlights an urgent necessity for enhanced safety protocols to safeguard vulnerable populations.