Brimob Metro Police Joins Rescue Operations at Bantargebang Landfill Collapse, Motorcycle Recovered
Search and rescue operations for victims of the waste collapse at Bantargebang Sanitary Landfill (TPST) in Bekasi City, West Java, continued on Monday. The Mobile Police Brigade (Brimob) of Jakarta Metro Police participated in the search efforts at the site.
Search operations commenced on Monday morning, 9 March 2026, in the area where refuse trucks and a shop had been buried beneath mounds of waste. The Brimob unit deployed a Search and Rescue team from D Battalion Pelopor, led directly by Brigadier General Henik Maryanto, Commander of the Jakarta Metro Police Brimob contingent.
Brimob personnel conducted sweeping operations in the collapse zone and assisted in clearing waste debris that had obstructed access to parts of the Bantargebang landfill. As of Monday around 10:30 a.m., the joint task force continued searching for victims believed to remain trapped beneath the collapsed material. Beyond rescue operations, personnel also evacuated several refuse trucks that had been buried at the incident site.
During continued sweeping operations around 11:30 a.m., officers discovered a motorcycle in the collapse area, which was subsequently secured by local police for further identification.
Brigadier General Henik stressed that Brimob personnel would continue assisting the search and rescue operation with the joint task force until all victims were located and the area was confirmed safe. The search remained ongoing with support from heavy machinery and security measures around the collapse zone to prevent further landslides from the still-considerable waste pile.
Four Confirmed Deaths
Police reported four confirmed fatalities from the waste collapse at Bantargebang Sanitary Landfill. The victims comprised two refuse truck drivers, one waste picker, and one coffee merchant. The deceased were identified as: S (60), a coffee merchant working at the site; EW (26), a waste picker; DS (22), a truck driver from Semper Barat, Cilincing, North Jakarta; and IS (40), also employed as a truck driver, according to a statement by Brigadier General Kusumo, Commander of Bekasi City Metro Police, on Monday, 9 March 2026.
Police estimated approximately 10 people remained buried in the collapse, with search operations continuing. The police deployed K9 units to assist in locating victims. “Based on preliminary data, the number of victims is estimated at approximately 10 people, comprising five refuse truck drivers and five local residents engaged in waste picking activities,” the commander stated.