Defence Ministry Explains Causes of Death for Five Cooperative Manager Trainees

The Ministry of Defence has explained the causes of death for five prospective managers of the Kopdes Merah Putih (Red and White Village Cooperatives) who died during a recent basic military training activity. Deputy Defence Minister Donny Ermawan Taufanto stated that the causes of death for the five participants varied, but his ministry has drawn a conclusion regarding the contributing factors. “Firstly, due to exhaustion, then a change in lifestyle,” Donny said at the DPR, MPR, and DPD Complex on Wednesday, 1 July 2026. According to Donny, the change in lifestyle played a role in the incident. The participants, who live their daily lives in a civilian environment, suddenly had to adapt to life in a military barracks. He said the disciplined lifestyle demanded in the military barracks is suspected to have triggered the incident, as the five participants were unprepared or shocked by the adaptation. “In addition, there was also the weather factor,” Donny said. Another cause, according to Donny, was pre-existing medical conditions. During the selection process, the Ministry of Defence had actually conducted a health assessment process, with results indicating the detections were within safe limits. He then continued that a third cause was related to lung disease. Donny opined that of the five participants who died, two had pre-existing lung conditions. “This is what caused certain cases. However, this incident may have been caused by the aforementioned changes in lifestyle and weather, leading to the condition of participants who were already limited, resulting in death,” Donny said. The five participants who died during the basic military training activity were Nola Dya Sari, Novia Rahmadhani Sihotang, Anisa Muyassaroh, Yonanda Muhammad Taufiq, and Muhammad Rifki Renaldi Gunawan. Nola Dya Sari, who was attending training at the Kalimantan State Defence Education Unit, died on 26 June 2026 after complaining of shortness of breath and fever. On the same day, Muhammad Rifki Renaldi Gunawan, a participant at the 465 Para Commando Battalion Education Unit in East Jakarta, also died after experiencing similar symptoms. Novita was attending training at the Air Force Doctrine, Education, and Training Development Command Language Centre in Jakarta. She died on Tuesday, 23 June 2026, due to heat stroke while attending training at the Mulawarman Regional Military Command Main Regiment Education Unit in Balikpapan, East Kalimantan. Yonanda was declared dead due to cardiac arrest on 17 June 2026. He was recorded as attending training at the Army Combat Training Centre Education Unit in Baturaja City, Ogan Komering Ulu Regency, South Sumatra.