Investigating Tangerang Prison Fire Tragedy, Police Examine 20 Witnesses

JAKARTA - The police said that there was an alleged criminal act behind the Tangerang Class I prison fire incident. This allegation is based on the results of an interim investigation.

"Another thing is that because it is suspected that a criminal act has occurred, we are collecting evidence," said Director of General Crimes at the Metro Jaya Police, Kombes Tubagus Ade Hidayat, to reporters, Wednesday, September 8.

Some of the evidence that was confiscated and examined by Puslabfor included cables and several electrical installations. In addition, the examination of witnesses was carried out to prove the allegation.

"Currently we are conducting (questioning) 20 witnesses," said Tubagus.

Dozens of witnesses consisted of guard officers, local residents, and prisoners. The examination was also carried out at the Tangerang Metro Police.

"(Witness) was the guard picket last night, then the second one was (resident) in the vicinity and the third is the resident in the block who can still be questioned," said Tubagus.

Later, the investigation process will be carried out together. This means that the alleged criminal case was carried out by the Polda Metro Jaya and Polres Metro Tangerang.

"Further investigations will be carried out in collaboration between the Directorate of General Criminal Investigation and the Tangerang City Police," continued Tubagus.

The Tangerang Class I prison caught fire on Wednesday, September 8, in the early hours of the morning. As a result of the fire, 41 inmates died.

In addition, it was recorded that 8 inmates suffered serious injuries and 72 inmates suffered minor injuries. They have been taken to the clinic for treatment.

So far, the cause of the fire is still being investigated. However, it is suspected that the cause was an electric short circuit.