Death toll from Indonesia factory fire rises to 47

The death toll from a fire that ravaged an Indonesian fireworks factory on Thursday has risen to 47, police said, as the owner is being questioned.

Police added on Friday that 46 people were being treated in hospital after suffering injuries in the blaze at the factory in Tangerang City near Jakarta, one of Indonesia's worst industrial disasters.

A total of 103 workers were employed at the factory at the time of the fire, which triggered explosions. Three people were absent during the day of the blaze and seven remain unaccounted for.

Jakarta police spokesman Argo Yuwono said investigators were examining the site of the incident and had begun questioning the factory’s owner and three staff members among other witnesses.

"When the incident happened the owner was in Malaysia, but he immediately returned upon hearing and he has been questioned," Yuwono said.

Indonesian authorities have not yet identified the cause behind the incident, which exposed inadequate workplace safety standards.

"Regulations may be in place officially, but too often are simply ignored, resulting in high levels of complacency," Jakarta-based Concord Consulting said in a daily report.

The blaze reportedly started near the front door and quickly spread. Police and local residents broke holes in the wall of the factory compound to help trapped workers escape.

The Manpower Ministry has established a team to investigate the disaster, including reports that minors were employed at the factory.

"We will be focusing on whether or not the company has complied with the work safety norms and we will find out why this work incident happened," said Sugeng Priyanto, director general of work safety at the ministry.

The official admitted safety awareness was "very low" among companies and their staff.

SS