The building of Makassar City Regional House of Representatives is set on fire during a protest in Makassar, South Sulawesi, on 29 August 29. Photo: AFP / Daeng Mansur
At least three people were killed by a fire started by protesters at a council building in eastern Indonesia's Makassar city, a local official told AFP Saturday, after rallies erupted across the country following the death of a motorcycle taxi driver hit by a police vehicle.
"From last night's incident, three people died. Two died at the scene, and one died at the hospital. They were trapped in the burning building," secretary of Makassar city council Rahmat Mappatoba told AFP, accusing protesters of storming the office to set the building on fire.
"This is beyond our prediction, usually during a demonstration, protesters only threw rocks or burn a tyre in front of the office. They never stormed into the building or burned it."
Two of the victims were staff at the local council and another was a civil servant.
At least four people were injured in the fire and are being treated at hospital, the official said.
The fire has since been extinguished.
- AFP
