Manado, North Sulawesi, Indonesia: Indonesia has been shaken by a devastating fire incident that resulted in the deaths of at least 16 people at an elderly care facility.

A major blaze broke out at a senior citizens home in the city of Manado, leading to the tragic loss of 16 residents who were trapped inside. Authorities confirmed that 15 others were successfully rescued, though some suffered minor injuries and were taken to nearby hospitals for medical care. Local media reported that the fire occurred at an old age shelter known as Verdha.

Officials stated that all residents were inside the building when the fire erupted. Manado Fire Department Chief Jimmy Rotinsulu said the victims were asleep at the time, allowing the flames to spread quickly and leaving no opportunity for escape. He confirmed that 10 of those who lost their lives were women, and all victims were between 65 and 85 years old.

December 29, 2025

Emergency responders worked for nearly two hours to bring the fire under control. Preliminary findings suggest the fire may have started due to an electrical short circuit in the kitchen area. Authorities have launched a detailed investigation to determine the exact cause of the incident and to assess whether the facility met required fire safety regulations.