Terra Drone Tragedy Leaves Lasting Wounds, Victims' Families Refuse to Testify

The trial of the alleged negligence case against the CEO of PT Terra Drone Indonesia, Michael Wisnu Wardhana, has revealed the profound wounds suffered by the victims’ families in the Terra Drone building fire. The victims’ families refused to testify in court because they did not want to relive the tragic moment.

This objection was conveyed through a letter. The witnesses stated that they had discussed the decision with the families.

“And then there are three more from the victims’ families who submitted through a letter, yes. This is on behalf of Mrs Rosminda Butar-Butar, which has also been recorded in the minutes, yes. Essentially stating that, and also Mrs Retno Cahyaningsih and Tan Chun Bie,” said the chief judge of the panel, Purwanto S Abdullah, at the Central Jakarta District Court on Wednesday (15/4/2026).

“Essentially, these three witnesses state that in order to provide witness testimony in the trial, I hereby convey that I object to attending the trial as mentioned in the summons letter,” the judge read from the objection letter.

The witnesses also said they had started new lives after the Terra Drone building fire incident. Due to the loss of family members in the fire, the witnesses stated that they had resolved the case amicably with Terra Drone.

“This objection is based on personal and family considerations, where we have been living new lives and in principle are unwilling to recall or reopen past events,” the judge read from the objection letter.

“Furthermore, we need to convey that the matter in question has been settled amicably with the company, so we see no further interest for us to be involved in this trial process,” the judge added.

The witnesses left the decision on this case entirely to the panel of judges. They chose not to be involved anymore in this matter.

Previously, the CEO of PT Terra Drone Indonesia, Michael Wisnu Wardhana, was charged with negligence in preventing, mitigating, and extinguishing the fire that occurred at the PT Terra Drone office building in Central Jakarta. The fire resulted in the deaths of 22 PT Terra Drone employees.

The indictment hearing for Michael Wisnu was held at the Central Jakarta District Court on Wednesday (11/3). This case is being tried by chief judge Purwanto S Abdullah with members Ni Kadek Susantiani and Sunoto.

Mother of Victim Weeps

The mother of a victim in the Terra Drone office fire, Mimi Adriani Nasution, became a witness in the alleged negligence case against the defendant, CEO of PT Terra Drone Indonesia, Michael Wisnu Wardhana. Mimi cried while recounting the last moment she saw her son’s body.

The hearing was held at the Central Jakarta District Court on Wednesday (15/4/2026). Mimi is the mother of Raihansyah, who had worked at PT Terra Drone for about 11 months.

Mimi recounted how she first received information about the PT Terra Drone building fire. Mimi then went to the Police Hospital for autopsy purposes.

“I apologise if I have to ask. Regarding this incident, how did you receive the information, Ma’am?” asked the prosecutor.

“So coincidentally, on that Tuesday, I was in front of the house, my neighbour was tending to the garden. I didn’t do it intentionally, I opened WhatsApp. Oh, I received a WA from Mr Umay (Terra Drone HRD) at 16:46 WIB. He said, ‘Ma’am, with a heavy heart from PT Terra Drone, a fire has occurred at the office, and Raihansyah has been declared dead’,” Mimi replied.

Mimi said the doctor took saliva samples and filed teeth for identification at the Police Hospital. She said she saw her son’s body for the last time, with no signs of burns.

“As soon as the shroud was opened, fresh blood was still flowing from my child’s nose. But I asked, how is my child’s condition, Doctor? Can I see? Alhamdulillah, Raihan’s condition had no burns,” said Mimi.

Mimi suspected her son died from inhaling poison from the drone batteries in the building. She then cried while describing her son’s smiling face.

“So, I concluded. Raihan inhaled poison. Because when I took Raihansyah, my child, fresh blood was still flowing from his nose. And the smell of gunpowder, like that smell from my child’s body. It had been cleaned, his face was clean too,” said Mimi.

“Alhamdulillah, I cried. Raihan died with a smile on his face. Like that, Sir. That’s what hurt me so much,” Mimi continued while crying.

She said her husband did not get to see their son’s body. She said at that time her husband was on his way home from Canada.

“That was the last time I saw my late child, and on Wednesday around half past nine at night, I immediately shrouded him. At that time, his father was still on the way from Canada. So his father didn’t get to see his child’s body because he was still on the plane,” said Mimi.

“Did you get information from the hospital about the cause of death, Ma’am?” asked the prosecutor.

“I immediately (asked) why is my child bleeding from the nose, Doctor? Then he said, this is from inhaling poison, right? The doctor said ‘Yes, Ma’am, like that’. Because there was an explosion from the drone. The drone contains like, he said monoxide or polymer or something. The doctor explained it like that. ‘So, your child died not from burns, but from inhaling the poison from the drone batteries’,” Mimi replied.

Terra Drone Boss Promises Scholarships

The CEO of PT Terra Drone Indonesia, Michael Wisnu Wardhana, apologised to the families of the victims in the Terra Drone building fire. Michael shook hands directly with the victims’ families and promised to form a scholarship team for the victims’ children.

This was conveyed by Michael Wisnu at the Central Jakarta District Court on Wednesday (15/4/2026). Michael said this fire incident has also become a heavy burden on his heart.

“I want to convey my condolences