Indonesia:16 killed after nursing home engulfs in fire

A tragic incident took 16 lives after a nursing home in Sulawesi, Indonesia, was engulfed in fire on Sunday, December 28, 2025.

As reported by the city’s rescue agency chief Jimmy Rotinsulu, firefighters received the report of the blaze at 8:30pm local time on Sunday at a nursing home in North Sulawesi provincial capital Manado.

According to AFP, the police officials confirmed that 16 people died while three had severe burn injuries at the blazing Werdha Damai retirement home in the city of Manado, which caught fire.

The rescue chief, Jimmy also informed that many bodies of the burnt victims were found inside their rooms, adding that many of the elderly residents were likely resting in their rooms in the evening when the fire broke out.

Rescue teams were able to manage the evacuation of 12 people and transferred them to a local hospital.

As per authorities, the police officials are trying to identify the deceased, urging family members of the victims to contact the hospital where the bodies have been taken to.

Deadly fires are not uncommon in Indonesia, which comprises more than 17,000 islands.

Recently a fire tore through a seven-story building in Indonesia’s capital Jakarta, killing 22 people.

Additionally, police informed that the reason for this recent nursing home fire incident is unknown and authorities are still investigating the cause of this tragedy.