16 Firefighters Deployed to Evacuate Teenager Who Climbed 20-Metre Tower in Bekasi

BEKASI — Fifteen rescue personnel from the Bekasi City Fire and Rescue Service were deployed to evacuate a teenager identified as MRH (15), a resident of Jatirasa District in Jatiasih, Bekasi, who climbed a GSM tower approximately 20 metres high on Saturday, 14 March 2026.

“Three teams were deployed yesterday. Each team has five people. Five times three equals 15 people, and including me, 16 people were sent,” said Hendrick when confirmed by Kompas.com on Sunday, 15 March 2026.

In addition to personnel, the rescue team deployed several operational vehicles, including the Gajah Mada Triton unit equipped with rescue equipment and a Kijang vehicle as support transport.

“This ensures there are safety handholds when descending or ascending, and ladder assistance equipment,” Hendrick explained.

Hendrick revealed that whilst atop the tower, MRH initially refused to descend and be rescued.

“At first, he refused and was defiant. But I hugged him directly. Thank God he was willing to come down,” Hendrick said.

According to Hendrick, the reckless act was allegedly triggered by romantic problems faced by the victim.

“Yes, it was a relationship issue. At that age, it’s called puppy love,” he said.

However, he assessed that the incident was likely also influenced by the victim’s psychological condition and pressure from the surrounding environment.

“I gave guidance to the victim, to his parents, and to the neighbours so they could support him and not make him an object of ridicule or bullying,” he said.

Hendrick stated that the rescue team under his command had never previously handled a tower rescue operation before.

“But we have frequently conducted rescues from tall buildings. This is indeed part of our rescue operations,” he said.

Earlier, residents on H Silan Road, Jatirasa District in Jatiasih, Bekasi, were alarmed by MRH’s action climbing the 20-metre GSM tower. The Fire and Rescue Service received reports from residents at approximately 02:55 WIB and arrived at the scene around 03:15 WIB.

“After we made contact and his parents also tried to comply with what he wanted, he agreed to come down safely,” said Acting Head of Bekasi City’s Fire and Rescue Department, Heryanto.

“Thank God we completed the evacuation at approximately 05:45 WIB,” he said.