Nearly 20 People Reportedly Killed in Clashes, Fire in Indonesia's West Papua Province - Photo

BANGKOK (Sputnik) – At least 19 people died in the city of Sorong in the Indonesian province of West Papua during street clashes that erupted between two groups of locals and after a fire in a nearby nightclub, media reported on Tuesday.

According to the Indonesian news agency Antara, a total of over 300 people in two groups engaged in a clash overnight and set the nightclub on fire. One individual was stabbed to death in hostilities, and 17 others died in the fire outbreak, the outlet reported.

Deaths in Indonesia's West Papua club clash, fire

At least 19 people were killed during clashes between two groups at a club in the town of Sorong in Indonesia's West Papua province, police said Tuesday, with most dying after the night spot caught fire in the violence. pic.twitter.com/kBhqFSPm5x

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The police are yet to identify the bodies of those burned, while the victim of the knife stab has been identified. In addition, a probe is ongoing to determine instigators and perpetrators of the violence, especially those responsible for the deaths, as well as the causes of the clashes.

According to other media reports, the death toll currently stands at 19.