Dozens dead after Indonesian fireworks factory explosion

  • 27/10/2017
Dozens dead after Indonesian fireworks factory explosion
Photo credit: Reuters

At least 47 people have been killed after a huge fire at a fireworks factory in Jakarta.

Thick smoke poured out of the building, which had only been operating for two months, as those inside tried to escape.

Witnesses reported hearing two loud explosions on Thursday morning (local time).

The fire took hours to extinguish and 10 people are still unaccounted for, however a police spokesman says it is unclear whether they were at work at the time.

Dozens dead after Indonesian fireworks factory explosion
Photo credit: Reuters

Search and rescue official Deden Nurjaman told media the victims were unrecognisable.

"People were burned so badly you couldn't see their faces... It was really bad."

Industrial safety standards in Indonesia are often poor, and there has been a series of major fires this year.

Police are also investigating whether the building had a safety permit.

Newshub.