Four people have been killed while battling a wildfire in Bromo Tengger Semeru National Park in East Java, Indonesia. The deaths occurred during suppression efforts at Pusung Lingker on October 15, with a fourth victim dying after being taken to hospital, according to Indonesia's Ministry of Forestry reporting summarised by The Watchers and The Jakarta Post.
Two other people were seriously injured in the operation. The cause of the fatal incident remained under investigation, and the Probolinggo Regency disaster-management agency reported that active fire was still visible at Pusung Lingker on October 16.
The deaths add to a toll from wildfire-fighting operations across Indonesia this year, which reports put at at least eight people. Dry-season fires in parks and peatlands routinely stretch local crews, volunteers and forestry staff working in steep, remote terrain.
Officials have not released a full account of how the crew was overwhelmed. The investigation is expected to examine fire behaviour, communications and safety procedures for teams sent into the national park's fire lines.
