At least 47 killed in Jakarta fireworks blast

Updated: 9:45 pm, Thursday, 26 October 2017

The death toll from an explosion at a fireworks factory near Jakarta has risen to 47, police say.

'So far 47 bodies have been found,' Jakarta police chief Idham Aziz said.

All the victims were employees of the fireworks factory in Tangerang, just southwest of Jakarta, local fire department official Oni Sahroni told Metro TV.

Police said in a statement the bodies of the victims were charred beyond recognition and that the initial explosion blew off the factory's roof.

Footage taken by a local resident using a mobile phone showed flames engulfing the factory while residents shouted 'Oh God! oh God!'

The factory, run by PT Panca Buana Cahaya Sukses, had operated for only six weeks, district chief Toni Rustoni said.

DPA

Source: At least 47 killed in Jakarta fireworks blast