Clash at Kuta Selatan Labourer Hostel Leaves One Dead, 13 Detained
Thirteen individuals have been taken into police custody following a disturbance at the PT Tunas Jaya Sanur workers’ hostel in the Sawangan neighbourhood, Benoa, Kuta Selatan, Badung, Bali. The incident resulted in one fatality and several injuries.
The Head of Public Relations for the Denpasar City Police, Inspector Gede Adi Saputra Jaya, stated that police arrived at the crime scene on Friday (11/9). He noted that dozens of people suspected of involvement in the mob violence were detained today.
“Thirteen people have been detained and are currently undergoing intensive interrogation,” Adi said in a statement on Saturday (12/9/2026).
Adi revealed that the disturbance occurred around 11:00 PM WITA on Sunday (6/9) and involved several project workers residing at the hostel.
“The incident, which took place around 11:00 PM WITA, involved several workers and security personnel, leading to one death and several injuries,” Adi said.
The incident began when a witness, identified by the initials YK, went to use the bathroom. During the process, YK accidentally bumped into a corrugated metal sheet, creating a loud noise. A security guard approached YK to question the noise.
YK explained that the contact with the metal was accidental and offered an apology. However, the security guard reportedly refused to accept the explanation and demanded that YK call all of his colleagues working on the project.
One of his colleagues, AW, woke up due to the commotion and approached YK, who was engaged in the dispute. “At that time, AW was carrying a knife,” Adi noted.
AW reportedly claimed that his friends from his home region never caused trouble and that trouble-makers were usually outsiders. This remark incensed several workers nearby, who then proceeded to assault YK and his colleague.
“Upon hearing those words, several workers near the scene became angry and began beating the witness and his friends,” Adi added.
As a result of the brawl, several workers sustained injuries to various parts of their bodies. AW suffered wounds to his lips, eyes, cheek, right hand, and left leg.
Another worker, identified by the initials RBB, sustained injuries to his eyebrow, hip, and left arm, as well as bruising on both legs. Meanwhile, FRM was reported to have sustained injuries to his left eye, nose, and the back of his head.
The victims were subsequently taken to the hospital for medical treatment. However, the incident ultimately claimed the life of AW on Friday (11/9) night.
Currently, AW’s body remains at the mortuary of Prof Ngoerah General Hospital, Denpasar. According to Adi, AW’s biological father has consented to an autopsy.
Police have also seized several pieces of evidence, including a knife, iron pipes, cinder blocks, a bucket, and wood. At this time, police are continuing intensive interrogations of each suspect.