Palembang experiences residential fire and ongoing forest fires

A significant residential fire occurred in Lorong Sabar, Jakabaring, Palembang, on Monday, October 19, 2026. The blaze destroyed at least 10 houses and affected two others, impacting approximately 20 families. Emergency responders utilized 10 ambulances to evacuate vulnerable residents, including the elderly and infants. Firefighters also required oxygen due to exhaustion during the containment efforts.

Separately, legal expert Hikmahanto Juwana has urged the Indonesian government to declare the ongoing forest and land fires (karhutla) a national disaster. He emphasized that such a declaration would allow for more structured international assistance from ASEAN neighbors to combat the persistent smoke and fires affecting regions in Sumatra and Kalimantan.