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Indonesia fire: At least 30 killed in blaze at matchstick factory in Sumatra

Three children believed to be among dead at makeshift factory located in house

Chiara Giordano
Friday 21 June 2019 05:23 EDT
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At least 30 killed in blaze at matchstick factory in Sumatra

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At least 30 people are suspected to have died in a fire at a small factory producing matchsticks in Indonesia's North Sumatra province, according to a disaster official.

The makeshift factory, which was located in a house, reportedly had 30 workers and it was unclear if there were any survivors.

Three children were believed to be among the dead, according to Irwan Syahri, from the local disaster mitigation agency in Langkap district.

He added that many of the victims were burned beyond recognition.

Indonesian TV footage showed the burned-out structure, its floor littered with twisted metal, blackened corrugated iron roofing and other debris.

North Sumatra police spokesman Tatan Dirsan Atmaja said they had received information on the death toll but were waiting to confirm it with investigators who were on the way to the site.

A spokesman added that the cause of the fire was still unclear.

Agencies contributed to this report.

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