The collapse of the mezzanine floor above the lobby of Tower II at the Indonesia Stock Exchange (IDX) in Senayan, Central Jakarta, on Monday raises concerns over the safety of the building that hosts the country’s capital market hub.

The incident, which left at least 72 people injured, occurred at noon when the building was crowded with visitors, including students on a study tour.

Caesar Hasibuan, who works at one of the firms in the building, said he was still in shock.

He added that he was just about to withdraw money from an ATM in the lobby when he heard a loud noise above his head.

“I was in shock and immediately ran from the scene to the assembly point,” he said.

A group of students from Palembang-based Bina Darma University were on the mezzanine floor when it collapsed.

Nicky Hogan, the IDX’s development director, confirmed that the university students were among the victims.

National Police spokesperson Insp. Gen. Setyo Wasisto said the victims were treated at the Siloam, Pertamina, Mintohardjo and Jakarta hospitals.

“Three people have already been discharged from the hospital. Many of the victims suffered bone fractures, while one had a fractured collarbone.”

The Indonesian Consumer Foundation (YLKI) has called on the police to investigate the IDX building’s management for alleged negligence.

YLKI chairman Tulus Abadi said the police needed to take firm action because the incident had endangered the lives of many people.

“We urge the police to question parties from the building management to find out whether any laws pertaining to buildings have been violated. It may indicate the party responsible has failed to properly maintain the building,” he said.

Jakarta Governor Anies Baswedan, who visited the scene, said the building was last checked in May and no irregularities were reported.

Setyo said the police were still investigating the case and confirmed that the incident was not a terrorist act. “We haven’t found any indication of intentional crime. We are still waiting on results from the forensic lab to find out the cause of the accident.”

Another witness, Titto Airlangga, 21, a university student who is interning on the fourth floor of Tower I, said when the alarm sounded, a security official told people to evacuate the building.

He and his fellow interns immediately fled down an emergency staircase.

“When we were about to exit the room, we looked out of the window and were startled by the scene we saw in Tower II: a completely ruined room and injured people just lying there,” he told The Jakarta Post.

Titto and hundreds of other evacuees were directed to gather at the assembly point outside the building as well as the west lobby of the Pacific Place building across the street from the IDX.

Tito Sulistio, IDX president director, said the exchange resumed activities in the afternoon after the incident.

“The bourse’s system ran as usual without any problems. The second session resumed on time with 108 brokers connected,” he told reporters.

The Jakarta Composite Index (JCI), the main gauge of the IDX, closed Monday’s trading at 6,382.19, 0.19 percent higher compared to its previous close.

For the day’s trading, 175 stocks rose, 168 fell and 133 remained unchanged.

Tito also said the activities in Tower I would return to normal on Tuesday, while Tower II would still be closed for further investigation. (gis)

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