TEMPO.CO, Magetan-Seven people were killed and two other injured after failing to escape the forest fire in Mount Lawu, Magetan, East Java, officials said Sunday evening, October 18.

“We have seven casualties, so far,” said Magetan Chief of Police, Senior Commissioner Johanson Ronald Simamora.

He added that four out of the seven victims have been identified. They are Rita Septi Hurika, 21, from Ngawi; Joko Prayitno (31) from Kebon Jeruk, West Jakarta; Nanang Setia Utama (16) from Ngawi; and Marwan, from Ngawi. The three other have not been identified.

The forest fire in Mount Lawu has also injured two hikers, namely Eko Nurhadi (35) and Novi Dwi Isti Wanti (15), both are from Ngawi.

Johanson said that there might be more victims, as the evacuation stopped on Sunday due to limited visibility. “Search and rescue will continue on Monday October 19,’’ he said.

NOFIKA DIAN NUGROHO