An explosion at a fireworks factory on Thursday in Indonesia has left at least 47 people dead and dozens more injured. The workers, mostly women, were reportedly locked inside, according to the Associated Press.
The death toll is expected to rise as many of those who escaped suffered severe burns, said Nico Afinta, general crimes director at Jakarta police, AP reported. He said bodies were found piled at the back of the building.
Officials say the factory has only been in operation for two months and, although it had a permit to operate, its close proximity to a residential neighborhood violated safety regulations.
Police say 103 people work at the factory and 10 are still missing. Jakarta police spokesman Argo Yuwono said it's possible they didn't come to work or haven't sought medical attention.
"The fire began with a strong explosion like a bomb," Benny, a local resident who goes by one name, told Indonesia's MetroTV. He saw police break down a wall so workers could escape. Some people were burning as they ran out of the building, he added, AP reported.
A woman who works in the factory, Mumum, who also goes by a single name, told Indonesia's TVOne she lost many friends and couldn't help as "everybody just ran for safety." She said workers were employed on a casual basis and made 40,000 rupiah -- about $3 -- a day.
According to a police report, AP reported, the fire spread after an explosion caused the roof to collapse.
"We are still investigating the cause of the fire and questioning witnesses," Tangerang police chief Hary Kurniawan told reporters. "Factory owners or anyone who neglects and violates safety rules should be held legally responsible."
Minister of Manpower Hanif Dhakiri said his department will be investigating the factory for allegedly employing underaged workers. The owner of the factory is in Malaysia, according to Indonesia's MetroTV, and police have summoned him to return to Indonesia.
source : https://www.usnews.com/news/world/articles/2017-10-26/indonesian-fireworks-factory-explosion-kills-47
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| A fireworks factory exploded Thursday on the outskirts of Jakarta, Indonesia, killing at least 47 people. (Tatan Syuflana/AP) |
The death toll is expected to rise as many of those who escaped suffered severe burns, said Nico Afinta, general crimes director at Jakarta police, AP reported. He said bodies were found piled at the back of the building.
Around 10 a.m. local time witnesses heard a loud explosion, followed by several muffled blasts. Large columns of black smoke and huge orange flames rose from the building, which is located next to a residential area in Tangerang, a city in the Banten province on the western outskirts of Jakarta.
Officials say the factory has only been in operation for two months and, although it had a permit to operate, its close proximity to a residential neighborhood violated safety regulations.
Police say 103 people work at the factory and 10 are still missing. Jakarta police spokesman Argo Yuwono said it's possible they didn't come to work or haven't sought medical attention.
"The fire began with a strong explosion like a bomb," Benny, a local resident who goes by one name, told Indonesia's MetroTV. He saw police break down a wall so workers could escape. Some people were burning as they ran out of the building, he added, AP reported.
A woman who works in the factory, Mumum, who also goes by a single name, told Indonesia's TVOne she lost many friends and couldn't help as "everybody just ran for safety." She said workers were employed on a casual basis and made 40,000 rupiah -- about $3 -- a day.
According to a police report, AP reported, the fire spread after an explosion caused the roof to collapse.
"We are still investigating the cause of the fire and questioning witnesses," Tangerang police chief Hary Kurniawan told reporters. "Factory owners or anyone who neglects and violates safety rules should be held legally responsible."
Minister of Manpower Hanif Dhakiri said his department will be investigating the factory for allegedly employing underaged workers. The owner of the factory is in Malaysia, according to Indonesia's MetroTV, and police have summoned him to return to Indonesia.
source : https://www.usnews.com/news/world/articles/2017-10-26/indonesian-fireworks-factory-explosion-kills-47
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