Following Fatal Student Accident, Batulicin Irigasi Village Government Cancels All Independence Day Celebrations

A fatal accident involving a group of students participating in the Community Service Programme (KKN) from Nahdlatul Ulama University of South Kalimantan (UNU Kalsel) and Lambung Mangkurat University (ULM) has occurred. The tragedy took place on the Batulicin-Banjarbaru Alternative Road, Mantewe District, Tanah Bumbu Regency, South Kalimantan, on Saturday (1/8/202cap) at approximately 12:00 WITA.

The accident resulted in seven fatalities, including two ULM students, three UNU Kalsel students, the Chairperson of the Batulicin Irigasi Village Youth Organisation (Karang Taruna), and a fuel tanker driver. The group of students was reportedly travelling for a recreational trip to the Alut River in Gunung Raya Village when the pickup truck carrying them collided head-on with a fuel tanker.

The impact was so severe that the front cabin of the vehicle was crushed and the front of the fuel tanker sustained heavy damage.

In response to the tragedy, the Village Government has expressed its deepest condolences. “The Batulicin Irigasi Village Government expresses our condolences over the accident that claimed the lives of KKN students from ULM, UNU Kalsel, and our Village Youth Organisation Chairperson. May the victims find the best place by the side of Allah SWT and may the families left behind be granted fortitude,” the administration stated.

As a mark of respect and mourning, the local government has decided to cancel all planned activities for the upcoming Indonesian Independence Day celebrations. “As a form of respect and condolences for the accident involving the KKN students in Batulicin Irigasi Village and the Village Youth Organisation, we inform you that the ‘Pasar Kuliner Jadul’ (Vintage Culinary Market) and all sequences of Independence Day activities for this month (August) are cancelled. We thank the community for their understanding and prayers,”