Police Seek Aviation Health Agency’s Assistance in Identifying Glodok Victims
In a bid to identify the victims of the tragic Glodok Plaza fire in West Jakarta, the Kramat Jati Police Hospital is seeking assistance from the Aviation Health Agency. The fire, which occurred on Wednesday night, has left many families searching for their loved ones amidst the devastation.
Efforts for Victim Identification
Head of the Police Medical Bureau, Senior Commissioner Ahmad Fauzi, revealed that they will be reaching out to the Aviation Health Center to access crucial data on the aircraft crew suspected of being victims in the fire. This data is essential for both post mortem and ante mortem identification of the victims.
Fauzi shared that DNA samples have already been collected from 14 families who reported missing family members after the fire. Mucosal swabs were taken from the mouth, along with various documents to aid in the identification process.
Challenges and Timelines
Despite having proper facilities and human resources in place, Fauzi acknowledged the challenges ahead, particularly with the ante mortem data that requires thorough examination. The police are anticipating a lengthy process, with results expected to be confirmed within one to two weeks or more.
The complexity of the situation is compounded by the condition of the evidence brought to the DNA laboratory, which may further delay the identification process. However, Fauzi assured that once the DNA test results are available, a reconciliation will be conducted to match the ante mortem data with the post mortem, providing closure to the affected families.
Origin and Escalation of the Fire
In a separate development, Taman Sari Police’s criminal investigation unit chief, Commissioner Suparmin, disclosed that the fire at Glodok Plaza originated on the ninth floor of the building. The room where the fire started, once a discotheque, featured a digital billboard on its exterior wall.
As firefighting efforts struggled to contain the blaze, flames quickly spread to the eighth and seventh floors, escalating the situation. The tragic incident has not only resulted in fatalities but has also left several individuals unaccounted for, adding to the urgency of the victim identification process.
