Fire at Tangerang Prison Kills at Least 41 Inmates

TEMPO.CO, Tangerang - Fire broke out in Class 1 Tangerang Prison, Banten, at around 1:45 a.m. Wednesday, September 8. The Law and Human Rights Ministry's Corrections Director-General Brigadier General Reinhard Silitonga said the incident that killed dozens of inmates occurred in Block C.

“There are one hall and nine rooms,” said Reinhard at the location today, September 8.

According to him, Tangerang prison has seven blocks with nine rooms each. “The fire engulfs Block C2. Each block is located far from another.”

The police line had been installed in the location. Reinhard said surviving prisoners had been transferred to other blocks which are far from the incident site.

When asked about the cause, Reinhard said the investigation is still afoot. “We can't make guesses, we're examining it.”

A total of 41 inmates died and 73 others were injured due to the fire at the overcrowded prison. “There were 41 people who died, 8 were injured, 72 people were slightly injured,” said Jakarta Metro Police Chief Inspector General Fadil Imran at the location this morning.

According to Fadil, the injured victims are receiving treatment in the prison’s health centers. “The situation is now under control,” he said, adding that the fire was successfully extinguished at around 3 a.m.

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JONIANSYAH HARDJONO