16 Elderly Killed in Manado Nursing Home Fire, DPR Urges Safety Standards Reform

A total of 16 elderly people became victims of the fire at the Panti Werda Damai, Ranomuut Village, Manado, North Sulawesi (North Sulawesi), Sunday, November 28, 2025. (North Sulawesi Police doc)

Member of Commission VIII of the Indonesian House of Representatives, Maman Imanul Haq, asked for a thorough evaluation of all nursing homes and social welfare institutions, both government-owned and private, following the fire at the Werdha Damai Home for the Elderly, Manado, North Sulawesi.

Maman assessed that the incident that killed 16 elderly people (elderly) and injured a number of other residents on Sunday, December 28, was a humanitarian tragedy. He also encouraged a thorough reform of safety standards in nursing homes to prevent similar incidents from being repeated in the future.

"We are very saddened by the death of the elderly due to the fire at the nursing home. They are the most vulnerable group who should get the maximum protection," said Maman in his statement in Jakarta, Wednesday, December 31.

The PKB legislator from the West Java District emphasized that the fire incident was a serious warning that the safety system at the elderly service facility was still not optimal.

"Fire safety standards, building eligibility, evacuation routes, and the readiness of officers must be ensured to run in a tangible way, not just formalities," he said.

Maman also supports the steps of law enforcement officials to thoroughly investigate the causes of the fire in a transparent manner, including the possibility of negligence, violations of safety standards, or weak supervision.

He also emphasized the importance of strengthening cross-sectoral coordination between the Ministry of Social Affairs, local governments, fire departments, and panti managers in formulating more comprehensive policies for the protection of the elderly.

"The presence of the state must begin from prevention, with a strong protection system for vulnerable groups, especially the elderly," he said.

As reported, the fire at the Werdha Damai Nursing Home occurred on Sunday, December 28 at around 20.25 WITA. The fire quickly engulfed most of the building.

A number of victims were allegedly unable to save themselves due to physical limitations. As a result of this incident, 16 elderly people died, and 3 others were reported to have suffered serious injuries.

All the bodies of the victims have been evacuated to Bhayangkara Hospital, Manado for identification. Meanwhile, the injured victims are undergoing intensive care at Manado Hospital and Awaloei Manado Hospital.