Death toll from Bantargebang rubbish mountain collapse rises to four
The number of people buried in the collapse of a waste mountain in Zone 4 of the Bantargebang Final Disposal Site (TPA) in Bekasi, West Java, has risen to four. The deceased are a coffee merchant, truck drivers, and waste pickers who were at the location.
“The deceased are identified as S (60), a coffee merchant at the site; 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,” stated Metro Bekasi City Police Chief Brigadier General Kusumo Wahyu Bintoro in his statement, citing Antara news agency on Monday (9 March 2026).
In addition to the fatalities, two truck drivers survived the incident: J and R.
The collapse occurred in the DKI Jakarta Waste Management Site (TPST) Zone 4C, RT 004 RW 004, Cikiwul Village, Bantargebang District on Sunday. The collapsed waste pile blocked road access in the TPST area and struck a coffee stall and several garbage trucks operating in the vicinity.
Police suspect there may still be other victims buried under the collapse. Based on preliminary data, the total number of victims is estimated at around ten people, comprising five garbage truck drivers and five local residents engaged in waste picking activities.
A security officer at the TPST first discovered the collapse whilst conducting a security check of the area after resting at a coffee stall. The witness heard people shouting about the collapse and then saw the waste mountain suddenly collapse, blocking the road and striking the stall and several garbage trucks. After the incident, this information was immediately disseminated through the TPST security communication group, and personnel rushed to the scene.
Upon receiving the information, Bantargebang Police Station immediately went to the location to conduct inspections, record victim data, and assist with the evacuation process. The search and rescue operation continues with the use of heavy machinery, including excavators.
The evacuation process involves various entities, including the military and police, the Bekasi City and DKI Jakarta disaster management agencies (BPBD), Bekasi City Search and Rescue Agency (Basarnas), the Environmental Health Service, Bekasi City Fire and Rescue Service, the Indonesian Red Cross (PMI), volunteers, and officials from Bantargebang District and Sumur Batu Village.
The Metro Jaya Police Chief Inspector General Asep Edi Suheri and Metro Jaya Deputy Police Chief Brigadier General Dekananto Eko Purwono also went to the scene to oversee the evacuation process and ensure that victim handling is conducted to the fullest extent. Both issued instructions to the combined personnel to focus on searching for victims believed to still be buried under the waste collapse.
Material losses from this incident remain under documentation by the authorities. Police are also conducting further investigations into the incident.
The following are data related to victims of the collapse at Bantargebang TPST:
Survivors
Setiabudi (M)
Johan (M)
Deceased
Enda Widayanti (F/25) (stall owner)
Sumine (F/60) (stall owner)
Dedi Sutrisno (M) (truck driver)
Irwan Suprihatin (M) (truck driver)