A devastating fire at an Indonesian care home claims the lives of 16 elderly residents

A devastating fire engulfed the ‘Werdha Damai’ nursing home in the city of Manado on Indonesia’s Sulawesi Island on Sunday night, claiming the lives of at least 16 elderly residents. In addition, three people sustained severe burns and are currently receiving intensive care.

The head of Manado’s fire and rescue services, Jimu Rotinsulu, reported that the emergency call was received at 8:31 pm local time on 28 December. Firefighters arrived promptly at the scene and launched a rescue operation. However, many residents were trapped inside and suffered fatal burns, making it impossible to save them. Authorities confirmed that 12 residents were rescued unharmed and transferred safely to a nearby hospital.

Rotinsulu told AFP that most of the deceased were found inside their rooms. “The fire broke out in the evening while many residents were resting in their rooms. Due to their advanced age and limited mobility, they were unable to evacuate quickly,” he explained.

Footage broadcast by local television channel Metro TV showed the nursing home’s building engulfed in flames, with locals risking their own safety to evacuate residents. The three individuals who were severely burned remain under close medical supervision, and their condition is reported as critical.

This tragic incident has once again raised concerns over fire safety standards in Indonesia, a nation of more than 17,000 islands where fire safety in buildings and industrial establishments has long been criticised. Earlier this month, a fire in a seven-storey office building in the capital Jakarta resulted in at least 22 fatalities.

Authorities have not yet determined the exact cause of the blaze, but preliminary investigations suggest an electrical fault may have triggered the fire. The government has ordered a formal investigation to ensure a thorough review of safety protocols.

Summary of Incident:

The fire has intensified scrutiny of Indonesia’s public safety infrastructure, highlighting urgent needs for improved fire prevention and emergency response measures, particularly in facilities housing vulnerable populations such as the elderly.