Three dead as protesters set fire to council building in Indonesia

(Web Desk): In Indonesia, protesters set fire to the council building, resulting in at least three deaths.

According to foreign news agency AFP, a local official reported on Saturday that the incident occurred after protests broke out across the country following the death of a man who was struck by a police vehicle.

Protests were held in major cities of Southeast Asia's largest economy, including the capital Jakarta. These protests started after a video went viral showing a police armored vehicle crushing a motorcycle. The incident occurred while people were protesting against low wages and financial perks for lawmakers.

In Makassar, the largest city on the eastern island of Sulawesi, the protests turned violent. Riots erupted outside the provincial and local council buildings, where protesters set fire to both buildings and threw stones and Molotov cocktails.

Makassar City Council Secretary Rahmat Mapatowaba told AFP that three people died in the fire that engulfed the council building. He accused the protesters of starting the fire.

He said, "Typically, during protests, people only throw stones or burn tires. They have never stormed a building or set it on fire."

Rahmat Mapatowaba mentioned that two council employees died on the spot, while another government worker died in the hospital.

He added that at least four people were injured in the fire and were admitted to the hospital.

Footage aired by local media showed hundreds of people cheering and chanting as the building was engulfed in flames, while security forces were barely visible. Inside, protesters set multiple fires in various parts of the building, causing parts of it to collapse. Others broke windows and shouted "revolution."