A fire at an office building in Jakarta has killed at least 22 people as authorities continue to search for casualties. The blaze at the seven-storey site in the Indonesian capital started on Tuesday afternoon, according to city police chief Susatyo Purnomo Condro, who said some workers were having lunch at the time.

Police believe the fire began after a battery exploded on the first floor before the flames spread upwards. A company which makes drones is based in the building. Susatyo noted that most of the victims who perished were women, including a pregnant woman, and it is likely they died from asphyxiation due to smoke rather than burns.

Thick smoke poured from the upper floors as firefighters deployed 28 engines and about 100 personnel, with dramatic footage showing trapped employees being rescued by aerial ladders. The fire has been extinguished, and rescue teams are focusing on the upper levels after sweeping lower floors. Access to the sixth floor posed significant challenges for firefighters, as reported by the Jakarta Globe. Susatyo stated, 'We are still collecting data,' indicating efforts are being directed towards identifying the victims found.

The company involved provides drone services for various industrial clients, ranging from aerial surveying and mapping to inspection and agriculture.