Get all your news in one place.
100’s of premium titles.
One app.
Start reading

Giant dome collapses in Indonesia mosque fire

This aerial picture taken on October 20, 2022 shows the collapsed dome of a Jakarta grand mosque, which collapsed after a major fire. ©AFP

Jakarta (AFP) - The large dome of a grand mosque in Indonesia's capital Jakarta collapsed after a major fire, without causing any casualties. 

Dramatic footage obtained by AFP showed a thick column of grey smoke engulfing the dome while the flames destroyed the lower parts of the Jakarta Islamic Centre Grand Mosque on Wednesday.

Several construction workers were inspecting the fire from up close when the dome collapsed, sending them fleeing.

Police said there were no casualties. 

The grand mosque, located inside an Islamic centre complex, was undergoing renovation. 

"We have discussed the possibility of continuing the renovation...the most important (thing) is we can use it (the mosque) again soon," Jakarta's acting governor Heru Budi Hartono told Metro TV Thursday. 

The cause of the fire, which took hours to extinguish, is under investigation but police said they suspect it started from the sparks created when workers tried to cut waterproofing membranes for the dome.

Four construction workers have been questioned in connection with the fire, police added.

Sign up to read this article
Read news from 100’s of titles, curated specifically for you.
Already a member? Sign in here
Related Stories
Top stories on inkl right now
One subscription that gives you access to news from hundreds of sites
Already a member? Sign in here
Our Picks
Fourteen days free
Download the app
One app. One membership.
100+ trusted global sources.