Indonesia Market Inferno: Eleven Killed, Half Were Children

A devastating fire ripped through a market in Paniai, Central Papua, resulting in eleven deaths on Monday morning. Among the dead were six children aged two to nine years, while five adults also succumbed to the flames. The fire rapidly spread to surrounding stores and homes, forcing fire engines and water cannons to engage for three hours.

Police noted that roughly forty structures were affected by the blaze. The close proximity of market stalls to residential buildings delayed extinguishing efforts. Authorities are conducting a thorough investigation, interviewing locals and reviewing the site to identify the origin of the fire.