Bromo wildfire death toll rises to four, local authorities say

Probolinggo, E Java (ANTARA) - The death toll from a wildfire on Mount Bromo in East Java's Probolinggo District rose to four on Thursday (Oct 15) after another person involved in firefighting died while being transferred to hospital, local authorities said.

The dead were two Bromo Tengger Semeru National Park officers, Sukaris and Hendra Rony Wagiyanata, and two Artotel Bromo Hotel staff members, Wisnu Yuda Pratama and Sefriel Ardiansyah. Two others, Munawi and Suraji, suffered burns.

"Three victims died at the scene while fighting the fire and another died while being transferred to Tongas General Hospital," Probolinggo District Head Muhammad Haris told in a news conference on Thursday night.

Haris said the two surviving victims had serious burns and were referred to Dr. Soetomo General Hospital in Surabaya for intensive treatment.

"I hope both volunteers receive proper treatment and recover. The Probolinggo district administration will cover all medical costs in coordination with the national park authority," he said.

Related news: Indonesia contains Bromo fire hotspots after 900 hectares affected

Haris explained wildfires had occurred in Bromo Tengger Semeru National Park almost every year, but the incidents had not previously caused fatalities.

He offered his deepest condolences, on his own behalf and that of the district administration, to those who died while fighting the blaze.

Twelve people initially tackled the fire under standard operating procedures, but the blaze spread and the team split up, leaving six trapped as winds shifted rapidly, Haris said.

Firefighting had been conducted carefully, he said, adding that the head of the National Disaster Mitigation Agency (BNPB) had visited Bromo to ensure crews' safety.

Related news: Bromo fire spreads amid strong winds, steep terrain

Translator: Zumrotun S, Rahmad Nasution
Editor: Fransiska Ninditya
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