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.

SAFEBUILDER ABS Work-at-Height and Rescue Hard Hat Construction Safety Helmet Slotted Ventilated w/Adjustable Ratchet 6-Point Suspension ANSI Z89.1-14 (01-White Safety Helmet)

SAFEBUILDER ABS Work-at-Height and Rescue Hard Hat Construction Safety Helmet Slotted Ventilated w/Adjustable Ratchet 6-Point Suspension ANSI Z89.1-14 (01-White Safety Helmet)

【Comfortable Fit】: SAFEBUILDER Work Hard Hat with 6-points suspension, Good at Shock Impact when workers work in danger,…

As an affiliate, we earn on qualifying purchases.

As an affiliate, we earn on qualifying purchases.

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

Lancryen Emergency Fire Blanket, 4 Pack Fire Extinguisher Blanket, Fire Suppression Blanket, Flame Retardant Towel Fire Safety Cloth for Home, Kitchen, School, Grill, Car, Office, Warehouse(40” x 40”)

Lancryen Emergency Fire Blanket, 4 Pack Fire Extinguisher Blanket, Fire Suppression Blanket, Flame Retardant Towel Fire Safety Cloth for Home, Kitchen, School, Grill, Car, Office, Warehouse(40” x 40”)

HIGH-TEMPERATURE RESISTANT: The fire suppression blanket can isolate high temperatures up to 1076℉( 580℃), enabled by it's Composed…

As an affiliate, we earn on qualifying purchases.

As an affiliate, we earn on qualifying purchases.

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.

QWORK Wired Emergency Sound and Light Fire Alarm Station, 12 / 24V DC Wired Strobe Siren Horn and Dual Action Manual Call Point Panic Button 9-28VDC with 2 Keys

QWORK Wired Emergency Sound and Light Fire Alarm Station, 12 / 24V DC Wired Strobe Siren Horn and Dual Action Manual Call Point Panic Button 9-28VDC with 2 Keys

Manual Call Point: Dual Action Manual Call Point Fire Alarm Panic Button Designed for traditional fire alarm systems…

As an affiliate, we earn on qualifying purchases.

As an affiliate, we earn on qualifying purchases.

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.

First Alert Fire Extinguisher for Home & Commercial Use, Heavy Duty Rechargeable Compliance Unit, UL RATED 2-A:10-B:C, HOME2PRO, Red, 1-Pack

First Alert Fire Extinguisher for Home & Commercial Use, Heavy Duty Rechargeable Compliance Unit, UL RATED 2-A:10-B:C, HOME2PRO, Red, 1-Pack

The First Alert HOME2PRO Fire Extinguisher is UL rated 2-A: 10-B:C and meets minimum 2-A: 10-B:C code requirements;…

As an affiliate, we earn on qualifying purchases.

As an affiliate, we earn on qualifying purchases.

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

You May Also Like

Shein Buys Everlane

Shein has announced its acquisition of Everlane, marking a significant move into sustainable fashion and direct-to-consumer retail.

I don’t think AI will make your processes go faster

Recent insights suggest AI alone cannot speed up processes without addressing underlying bottlenecks, challenging common expectations.

How Chinese renewable JVs are carving new investment route into US

Chinese renewable joint ventures are establishing new investment routes into the US, driven by recent legislation, impacting clean energy supply chains and cross-border cooperation.

Japan considers compiling supplementary budget to fight fuel costs

Japan is deliberating a supplementary budget to combat rising fuel costs amid global trade disruptions, with decisions pending by March 2026.