Manado: A devastating fire tore through a retirement home in the Indonesian city of Manado late on Sunday night, killing at least 16 elderly residents and leaving several others injured, local authorities said.
The blaze broke out at the Werdha Damai retirement home in Manado, the capital of North Sulawesi province. Firefighters rushed to the scene after receiving reports in the evening and worked for several hours to bring the fire under control.
Officials said most of the victims were elderly residents who were unable to escape in time as the fire spread rapidly through parts of the building. Three people were taken to hospital with burn injuries and are receiving treatment.
Rescue teams and local residents were seen helping survivors out of the facility, some of them in wheelchairs or needing physical support. Videos from the scene showed thick smoke and emergency crews carrying victims to safety.
Police and fire officials said the cause of the fire is still unknown. An investigation has been launched to determine how the blaze started and whether safety measures at the home were adequate.
The incident has shocked the local community and raised fresh concerns about fire safety in facilities caring for vulnerable people. Authorities said support is being provided to the families of the victims, while the injured continue to be monitored in hospital.
Indonesia has seen several deadly fires in recent months, prompting calls for stricter safety checks and better emergency preparedness, especially in public and residential buildings.