Dozens killed in factory fire

TATAN SYUFLANA

TANGERANG, Indonesia — An explosion and inferno at a fireworks factory near the Indonesian capital on Thursday killed at least 47 people, most of them female workers who were apparently locked inside, and injured dozens.

Witnesses said a huge explosion was heard from the factory at about 10 a.m. local time and then smaller blasts echoed across the neighbourhood as orange flames jumped from the building and columns of black smoke billowed from it.

The death toll could rise as many of those who escaped suffered extensive burns, said Nico Afinta, the Jakarta police’s general crimes director. He said bodies were found piled at the rear of the building.

Police said 103 people were working at the factory and 10 are still unaccounted for. It’s possible some or all of those 10 had not come to work or suffered only minor injuries and didn’t seek medical attention, said Jakarta police spokesman Argo Yuwono.

A local resident told Indonesia’s MetroTV he saw police and residents smash through a wall of the factory so trapped workers could escape. Some of the victims were burning as they ran out, he said.

“The fire began with a strong explosion like a bomb,” Benny, who goes by one name, told the TV channel.

A worker who escaped the fire said the factory’s staff was mostly women employed on a casual basis.

Mumum, who goes by one name, told Indonesia’s TVOne she started working at the factory a few weeks ago and was paid $3 a day.

“I lost so many friends. I couldn’t help. Everybody just ran for safety,” she said, weeping.

The factory is located next to a residential area in Tangerang, a city in Banten province on the western outskirts of Jakarta. A police report said the fire spread after an explosion that caused the roof to collapse.

Tangerang police chief Hary Kurniawan said 46 injured people were being treated at three hospitals.

The factory had been operating for less than two months, he said.

“We are still investigating the cause of the fire and questioning witnesses,” Kurniawan told reporters. “Factory owners or anyone who neglects and violates safety rules should be held legally responsible.”

JOHN THYS/GETTY IMAGES NATO Secretary General Jens Stoltenberg gives a press conference on Russia jamming phone networks in Latvia, Norway and Sweden’s Oeland islands, at the NATO headquarters in Brussels on Thursday.

DEMY SANJAYA/GETTY IMAGES Indonesian forensic policemen are seen at the scene of a massive fire at a fireworks factory in Tangerang Kota, Indonesia. At least 47 people died.