Glodok Plaza Fire Victims Identification, Police Hospital Has Taken 14 DNA Samples

TEMPO.CO, Jakarta - The Kramat Jati Police Hospital has taken Deoxyribo Nucleic Acid or DNA samples from 14 families whose family members are suspected of being victims of the fire, Tamansari, West Jakarta, on Wednesday night, January 15, 2025.

"It is true that as of Sunday afternoon, DNA samples have been taken from 14 families," said Head of Disaster Victim Identification of the Police Medical Bureau, National Police Medical and Health Center, Senior Commissioner Ahmad Fauzi, Sunday, January 19, 2025 as reported by Antara.

He said that his party was still opening a missing family member reporting post for those who suspected that their family members were victims of the fire.

Ahmad explained that the Glodok Plaza fire disaster was an open disaster, so the certainty of who was at the location and the number of victims could not be ascertained.

So far, only 14 families have reported the possibility that their family members were victims of the shopping and entertainment center fire.

"It is possible that there are other victims who could have been victims but no one has reported it," he said.

He said that the DNA sample examination method is a very reliable method. So when other methods are no longer reliable, it is hoped that with this DNA the victim's identity can be complete.

DNA examinations are of a direct and indirect nature. The direct one is from the victim's belongings. For example, a used toothbrush, usually toothbrushes are not exchanged. "But it must be ensured that it is really the victim's toothbrush," he said.

Then from underwear, especially those that have not been washed, there is also DNA evidence. "While the indirect ones are actually from the family," he said.

In addition, the Police Hospital until Sunday afternoon had received eight body bags from the Glodok Plaza fire location.

"I remind you that 8 body bags does not mean 8 bodies because the contents could be less than that or more than that," he said.

Until now the victim search process is still ongoing and his party has opened an Ante Mortem and post mortem post for the Glodok Plaza fire victims.

According to him, since receiving the report of the fire, the DVI team immediately formed an Ante Mortem post to await the delivery of bodies from the scene which is open 24 hours.

"So from the first day until now we have received eight body bags," he said.

In the fire, Wednesday night, January 15, 2025, there were 9 visitors to the building who were successfully evacuated in a safe condition.

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