24 Died in Matches Factory Fire in Langkat
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21 June 2019 23:53 WIB
TEMPO.CO, Langkat - A matches factory in Sambirejo Village, Binjai District, Langkat Regency, North Sumatra was burned down by raging fire on Friday, June 21. At least 24 employees were reported dead in the incident.
Based on data collected in the field, the fire broke out at around 12:00 AM Western Indonesian Time (WIB), before Friday prayers. The victims, 21 adults and three children, could not escape the factory because all accesses were locked during office hours.
Most of the victims were mothers, some of which had brought children. The incident was allegedly caused by a gas explosion.
The blaze was extinguished after two fire trucks from the Langkat administration area and three units from the Binjai administration area arrived at the location.
A local resident named Zulkifli explained that the majority of the factory's employees were local residents, while some came from Stabat and Binjai City.
Langkat Disaster Management Agency Chief Irwan Shari, said that the fire had successfully extinguished and ambulances were ready to carry and identify victims' body.
"The identification is conducted in the field. Their identities have yet to be known because [the bodies] are all burned," Irwan said.
ANTARA
