Chaos in Jakarta’s Stock Exchange: A Mezzanine Fall and the Aftermath
In a dramatic turn of events on Monday, a mezzanine floor overlooking the main lobby of Jakarta’s Indonesia Stock Exchange building suddenly gave way, sending a cascade of glass, metal, and concrete skittering down on unsuspecting occupants. The incident left at least a dozen people wounded, with the building’s own security straightaway rushing to help.
What Happened?
- Time & Place: Early Monday morning, the collapse occurred in the lobby area, just a block from the iconic Starbucks next to the entrance.
- Immediate Impact: Concrete slabs shattered and dust filled the air. Water pipes burst, turning the scene into a wet and chaotic mess.
- Casualties: Witnesses reported a handful of injuries, while students on the impacted floor were among those taken off the site on stretchers.
Eyewitness Accounts
Staff in the Office: At the time of the collapse, Vindy—tucked in as a personal assistant to the exchange’s president director, Tito Sulistio—was stuck in the lobby. “The second floor just dropped!” she gasped. “Concrete slabs fell everywhere, dust everywhere. Water pipes busted.”
Local Worker’s Perspective: Megha Kapoor, who routinely works inside the building, recounted, “I heard a loud crack, and then a lady was trapped under a concrete slab. She was unconscious—hard of hearing, if you can imagine.” She added that the collapse occurred just above the reception desk, leaving no sign of panic beyond the shattered chaos.
Rapid Response & Safety Measures
Jakarta police, led by spokesman Argo Yuwono, arrived almost immediately. “We’re focusing on safe evacuation right now,” he told Metro TV. The complex was promptly cordoned off, everyone hurriedly leaving the building, and emergency crews took action to stabilize the site.
Following the Incident
- Business Resumption: Despite the scare, the exchange opened its doors again that afternoon, resuming normal operations.
- Injury Count: The president director, Tito Sulistio, confirmed that the number of injured remains below 20.
- Past History: It’s worth noting that this building was once targeted in a suicide bombing back in 2000—thanks for the adrenaline rush—making this collapse a relief for the local security forces.
Final Thoughts
It’s nothing short of a scene straight out of a suspense movie—glass shards, split concrete, the echo of a sudden crack, and the frantic rush of rescue personnel—all wrapped in the daily grind of a bustling financial hub. While the building’s secure corridors were shaken, the fortitude of staff and emergency units ensured that life went on, albeit with a few dents in its glossy reputation.
