The building facade at City Hall Block G collapsed from 22nd floor around 6.40 PM, Thursday (8/28). The incident made all civil servants who were working at that rushed out, including Jakarta Vice Governor Basuki T Purnama.

When the incident happened, Basuki was in his room. But when he heard rumbling sound, he instantly fled and went down stairs. It was a fortune he did that because the facade fell right beside his office which located next to Block G building.

“What happened? What happened?” he asked while rushing out with his adjutants and staffs.

Basuki was outside for only about five minutes before went back inside after certain the situation was safe. To know the cause of this incident, he summoned Head of Jakarta Public Affairs Bureau Agustino Darmawan and Head of Jakarta Public Housing and Government’s Buildings Yonathan Pasodung to his office.

Based on beritajakarta.com observations, the collapsed facade was located at the east side of Block G building. It was detached from the highest floor and pulled straight onto lowest ground. Because of this incident, one room in Block B building which located beside Block G is damaged. The roof of Respon Opini Publik (Public Opinion Respond) room is perforated, especially in the meeting room and toilet.

Head of Jakarta Public Affairs Bureau, Agustino Darmawan, said the cause of the collapsed facade is still being checked. The facade itself was installed by in 2010-2011 as green building retrofit project. The installation was done by PT Jaya Konstruksi as the project contractor.

“I don’t know yet the technical of the facade installation. The collapsed facade is different to the other two parts which still detached and safe. But, the west side still needs to be kept an eye on,” he stated after meeting with Basuki.

Meanwhile, Head of Jakarta Public Housing and Government’s Buildings, Yonathan Pasodung, told that the collapsed facade was the outer part. Thus, it did not unify to the main body, which in this case is the wall of the building.

“So, the thing that collapsed was the cladding structure which located outside. Facade is useful for lighting and architectural purposes. It is made of aluminum. Indeed the collapsed facade hit Block B building, but the building has a good structure. Thus, only its roof that is damaged due to hit by the facade from above,” he uttered.

Pasodung also disclosed that the maintenance period of the facade was already over.

“We will coordinate with PT Jaya Konstruksi to repair it (damaged part),” he said.