Eleven testify over Tanah Abang collapse

JAKARTA: The Jakarta Police questioned 11 witnesses over the collapse of Metro Tanah Abang shopping center in Central Jakarta.

City Police spokesman Sr. Comr. Boy Rafli Amar said the witnesses included construction consultants and the builder.

"We will resume the questioning next week. We haven't named any suspects ... investigators have not found any sign of negligence," he told The Jakarta Post over the phone on Friday.

The Jakarta Building Supervision Agency (P2B) began removing the rubble from the collapsed part of the Metro Tanah Abang Market on Wednesday.

P2B head Hari Sasongko said his subordinates also gave testimonies at the city police headquarters.

Four people were killed and at least nine others were injured when an extended structure of the shopping center collapsed on Wednesday.

The structure was intended to function as a new space for toilets in the building.

The agency is currently investigating claims the structure was built without a permit and may terminate the project. - JP