Terra Drone Office Fire Kills 22 People, CEO Says It Was Not of My Making

Jakarta — PT Terra Drone Indonesia’s Chief Executive Officer, Michael Wisnu Wardhana, said that the fire at their office, which killed 22 employees on 9 December 2025, was a misfortune outside his control.

Michael emphasised that he never intended to neglect the safety of PT Terra Drone Indonesia’s workers. “Moreover, I did not want such an unfortunate event to occur. This fire disaster happened not by my will,” he told the court in a plea reading at the Central Jakarta District Court (PN Jakarta Pusat) on Tuesday, 18 May 2026.

Conversely, he said, the drone services company he leads is currently incurring losses and reputational damage. He also stressed that the office fire at PT Terra Drone Indonesia caused him to lose colleagues.

In his defence submission, Michael Wisnu also stated that he has run the company in accordance with standard operating procedures together with other board members. He claimed that he has never neglected workplace safety and has sought to exercise caution in running the business.

“I do not have a motive to commit illegal acts. Instead, the circumstances beyond my control, including environmental technical factors and information limitations,” he said.

At the time of the fire, he was at his home. He received the news while still at home. Michael said that after receiving the information, he rushed to the scene to ascertain the condition of all employees and to ensure swift handling.

“Upon arriving at the scene, I was very shocked and cried when I saw the office burning. And especially to see the condition of my employees,” he added. “That day was the darkest and lowest point in my life, when I had to come to terms with the loss of colleagues who were also my friends,” he said.