At least 19 people have been killed in clashes between two groups of youths following a fire at a nightclub in Sorong, Indonesia's West Papuan capital, police said today.
One of the victims was stabbed and the other 18 were trapped inside the "Double O" nightclub, where a fire broke out during the clash, according to the authorities.
According to local media reports, members of youth gangs in the area were involved.
"We found 17 bodies inside Double O, all on the second floor. "We took the bodies to a hospital," said Edward Panjaytan, head of the Sorong Police Department of Health.
"The club burned down from the first floor. "We tried to evacuate as many people as possible, but after firefighters put out the fire in the morning, we found bodies," said Ari Nyoto Setiawan, head of police in Sorong.
"The clash broke out last night at 23:00. "It was a dispute that started with a skirmish on Saturday," the police chief clarified.
Images reproduced by local media depict the building blackened by fire and several charred cars.
Source: RES-EAP