Bekasi City Police Confirm Four Deaths from Bantargebang Landfill Collapse
Jakarta — Metro Bekasi City Police Chief Combes Kusumo Wahyu Bintoro has confirmed that four people have died from being buried under waste debris at the Bantargebang Integrated Waste Processing Facility (TPST) in Bekasi City on Sunday, 8 March.
“The deceased victims are: S (60), a coffee vendor at the location; EW (26), a waste picker; DS (22), a truck driver from Semper Barat, Cilincing, North Jakarta; and IS (40), who also worked as a truck driver,” Kusumo stated at a press briefing in Jakarta.
In addition to the fatalities, two truck drivers were reported safe, identified as J and R.
The collapse occurred in the TPST DKI Jakarta Zone 4C area, located in Cikiwul Village, Bantargebang District. The mountainous heap of accumulated waste collapsed, blocking road access to the facility and burying a coffee stall as well as several waste collection trucks that were operating at the time.
Police suspect additional victims may still be buried beneath the debris. Based on preliminary data, the total number of victims is estimated at around ten people, comprising five waste collection truck drivers and five residents who were engaged in waste picking activities.
A security guard first discovered the collapse whilst conducting a routine patrol at the facility after taking a rest break at the coffee stall. The witness heard residents screaming about a landslide, then observed the massive heap of waste suddenly cave in, blocking the road and burying the stall and several trucks.
Following the incident, information was immediately disseminated through the TPST security communication network, prompting personnel to rush to the scene. Officers from the Bantargebang Police Station received the report directly and proceeded to the location to conduct inspections, document victims, and assist with evacuation operations. Search and rescue efforts continue using heavy equipment, including excavators.
The evacuation process involves multiple agencies, including the TNI-Polri (military and police), Bekasi City and DKI Jakarta disaster management offices, Bekasi City search and rescue services, environmental health services, Bekasi City fire department, Indonesian Red Cross volunteers, and officials from Bantargebang District and Sumur Batu Village.
Metro Jaya Police Chief Inspector General Asep Edi Suheri and Deputy Chief Brigadier General Dekananto Eko Purwono visited the scene to oversee the evacuation process and ensure maximum victim care. They instructed combined personnel to focus on locating victims suspected to remain trapped beneath the waste debris.
Material losses from the incident are still being assessed by authorities. Police are conducting further investigations into the collapse.