TL;DR

The CEO of Terra Drone Indonesia was sentenced to 16 months in prison for negligent homicide related to a deadly fire at the company’s Jakarta office. The incident resulted in 22 deaths and 15 injuries, highlighting safety lapses. The court’s ruling confirms individual accountability in the tragedy.

An Indonesian court has sentenced the CEO of Terra Drone Indonesia to 16 months in prison for negligent homicide following a deadly fire in Jakarta that killed 22 people in December 2025.

The court found the CEO responsible for safety lapses that contributed to the fire at Terra Drone’s Jakarta office building. The incident occurred on December 2025, resulting in 22 fatalities and 15 injuries, making it one of the deadliest workplace fires in recent Indonesian history.

The court’s ruling, announced on Thursday, attributes the tragedy to negligence in safety protocols and failure to address known risks, according to local judicial officials. The CEO, whose name has not been disclosed in this report, was present at the sentencing hearing and accepted the verdict.

Why It Matters

This case underscores the importance of corporate safety standards and individual accountability in workplace safety. It highlights the potential legal consequences for executives in Indonesia when negligence leads to loss of life, setting a precedent for safety enforcement in the country’s rapidly growing tech and drone industries.

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Background

Terra Drone, a Japanese drone developer with local operations in Indonesia, expanded rapidly in Southeast Asia over the past few years. The December 2025 fire was a major incident that prompted investigations into safety practices at the company. Prior to the incident, there were reports of safety concerns at the Jakarta office, though details were not publicly confirmed until the court proceedings.

“The court finds the defendant guilty of negligence resulting in the loss of life and sentences him accordingly.”

— Indonesian judicial official

“We express our condolences to the victims and their families. We are cooperating fully with authorities.”

— Terra Drone spokesperson

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What Remains Unclear

It remains unclear whether the court’s ruling will lead to further criminal charges against other company officials or whether additional safety reforms will be mandated for Terra Drone Indonesia. Details about the specific safety lapses and the CEO’s actions prior to the fire are still emerging.

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What’s Next

The company is expected to review and potentially overhaul its safety protocols in Indonesia. Legal appeals or further investigations into corporate safety practices may follow. The incident also raises broader questions about workplace safety standards in Indonesia’s tech sector.

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Key Questions

Who is the CEO of Terra Drone Indonesia involved in this case?

The name of the CEO has not been publicly disclosed in available reports.

What were the safety violations that led to the fire?

Details about specific safety lapses have not been fully disclosed, but the court attributed the fire to negligence in safety protocols.

It is not yet clear if additional charges will be filed or if investigations will expand to other executives.

How has Terra Drone responded to the incident and court ruling?

The company expressed condolences and stated it is cooperating with authorities, but has not issued detailed statements about internal safety measures.

Source: Nikkei Asia

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