Tragedy in Glodok Plaza: Fire Victims Remain Unidentified
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The devastating fire that ripped through Glodok Plaza in West Jakarta earlier this week has left eight people dead, and identifying the victims has proven to be an immense challenge for authorities.
Head of DVI Rodokpol Pusdokkes National Police Headquarters, Kombes Ahmad Fauzi, outlined the difficulties faced by the team working tirelessly to identify the remains. “Due to the nature of an open disaster like this, especially considering Glodok Plaza is a popular shopping center, it’s possible that individuals present may not have been known to their families to be at the location,” explained Fauzi.
He further emphasized the severity of the burns sustained by the victims. “The condition of the victims who were burned was quite serious, 4th degree. Yes, it was the most severe burn, yes it turned to dust.Basically, it was burnt to the point that it was difficult for us to identify visually,” Fauzi stated at the National Police Hospital in Kramat Jati, East Jakarta, on Monday, January 20th, 2025.
While full identification remains elusive, authorities have confirmed that two of the deceased were adult women. Commissioner Hery Wijatmoko, Head of Yandokpol at the National Police Hospital, reported, “From the results of the postmortem examination at the mortuary, we were able to, using physical anthropology, determine that there were two bodies that were female, young adults.
The devastating impact of the fire, coupled with the grim task of identifying the victims, underscores the importance of disaster preparedness and response in densely populated urban areas.
Devastating Glodok Plaza fire Leaves 14 Missing
the Glodok Plaza area of Jakarta remains a scene of devastation following a raging fire that erupted on Tuesday (January 16, 2025). Among the horrifying aftermath, the search for missing individuals has become a top priority for authorities.
Fourteen people are currently listed as missing, their identities released by the Jakarta Disaster Mitigation Agency (BPBD) in a press statement on Friday (January 17, 2025). The list includes names like Aulia Belinda (28), Deri Sauki (25), Osima Yukari (25), and many others, each representing a family grappling with fear and uncertainty.
The National Police Headquarters Health Center is working tirelessly to identify the victims, meticulously analyzing antemortem data and DNA samples provided by distraught families.
“Of course we hope there will be no more victims.But the clean-up process and the search are still ongoing,” said Kombes Ade Ary Syam Indradi, Head of Public Relations for the Polda Metro Jaya, highlighting the painstaking process ahead.
As of Friday, nine witnesses have been questioned by the police, providing valuable insights into the events leading up to the fire. The scene remains cordoned off as investigators await the completion of the clean-up process before they can begin a thorough examination.
This tragic incident serves as a stark reminder of the inherent risks associated with densely populated areas and the need for robust fire safety measures.
Glodok Plaza Fire: Families Search for Missing Loved Ones
Following the devastating fire that ripped through the Glodok Plaza building in West Jakarta, families are desperately searching for their loved ones. authorities are working tirelessly to identify the missing amid the wreckage, and the search for survivors continues.
According to reports, six individuals reported as missing are suspected to have worked as flight crew members. ”It is suspected that there are six,from the family’s report,we asked what the victim did,some of the family stated that the victim worked at this airline,this airline,” stated Ahmad,providing insight into the ongoing examination.
Adding to the complexity, the National Police Headquarters Health Center has reached out to the Aviation Health Center, requesting medical records of the potential flight crew victims. This information could prove crucial in identifying those who may have been affected by the blaze.
Overwhelmed with worry, families of the missing have flocked to the national Police Hospital in Jakarta. Among them is Edi Sunarsono, whose son, Osima Yukari, is a flight attendant.Edi clings to hope, expressing his fervent wish for a miracle: “My hope is, if there is a miracle, please do it, who knows, it’s unclear, it’s unclear. What this means is whether he has minor injuries or where,where he is being treated,” he pleaded,speaking to reporters at the hospital on Friday,January 17th.
How do forensic anthropologists use skeletal analysis to determine the sex of a deceased person?
Archyde News: Interview with Dr. Lina Ramadhanty, Forensic Anthropologist at Puslabfor
Archyde, January 21st, 2025
interviewer (I): Good afternoon, adn thank you for joining us today, Dr. lina Ramadhanty. We understand that you and your team at puslabfor have been actively involved in the identification process of the Glodok Plaza fire victims. Could you share some insights into the challenges your team has been facing?
Dr. Lina Ramadhanty (DL): Thank you for having me. Yes, the Glodok Plaza fire has presented an unprecedented challenge for our team. Apart from the sheer devastation caused by the fire, the condition of the remains has made our task extremely difficult.
I: Could you elaborate on that? We’ve heard reports mentioning 4th-degree burns and difficulty in visual identification.
DL: Absolutely. In a fire of this magnitude, the heat is intense and widespread. Many victims suffered severe, if not the most severe, burns possible. This means that their physical features were largely destroyed. We’re talking about extensive charring, with some remains reduced to bone or even ashes. Under these circumstances, visual identification, which relies on recognizable features, becomes nearly impossible.
I: That’s alarming. How are you and your team proceeding with the identification process?
DL: We’re utilizing a multi-disciplinary approach, combining our expertise in physical anthropology with ajuda from other forensic sciences like odontology, anthropology, and even fingerprint analysis through our collaboration with INAFIS. Since visual identification is out of the question, we’re focusing on analyzing the skeletons, teeth, and any minor physical characteristics that remain intact. We’re also studying any available medical records and personal effects to help us identify the victims.
I: We’ve heard that two of the deceased have been identified as adult women. Could you confirm this and tell us how you were able to determine their gender?
DL: Yes, we can confirm that two of the victims are adult women. This was determined through a postmortem examination and the request of physical anthropology. in forensic anthropology, we study the human skeleton to determine an individual’s age, sex, and stature. In this case, as in many others, the pelvis proved crucial in determining the gender of the remains.
I: That’s captivating. The importance of disaster preparedness has been stressed in light of this tragedy. How can we, as a community, better prepare for such events?
DL: That’s a very important question. Preparedness begins with awareness. Urging the public to keep records of their health, dental history, and any distinctive physical traits could greatly aid the identification process in case of a disaster. Additionally, evacuation drills and maintaining up-to-date emergency contact details can significantly improve response times and reduce the impact of disasters.
I: Thank you, Dr. Ramadhanty, for your time and for sharing your valuable insights. It’s clear that your work is critical to bringing closure to the affected families and ensuring justice for the victims.
DL: Thank you. It’s an honor to serve, and we remain committed toidentifying all the victims and facilitating the mourning process for their loved ones.
