Incident of Migrant Worker Dying in Bus, Ministry of Transportation Responds

A tragic incident has once again marred this year’s Lebaran migration period. One migrant worker passed away during the journey from Bali to Central Java. Citing detikBali on Thursday (19/3/2026), the migrant worker with initials RP (39) died inside the bus while stuck in a long queue at Gilimanuk Port, Jembrana, on Wednesday (18/3) morning. The Director General of Sea Transportation at the Ministry of Transportation (Kemenhub) has conveyed deep condolences over the passing of the migrant worker RP, who was a housewife. In a statement received by CNBC Indonesia, RP is said to have passed away on Wednesday (18/3) morning, while the vehicle was heading to Gilimanuk Port. “As a form of respect and national concern, the Ministry of Transportation is collaborating with stakeholders including the National Police, PT ASDP Indonesia Ferry, and PT Pelindo to ensure the repatriation of the body is carried out properly until it reaches the funeral home located in Kebumen,” said the Head of Public Relations and General Affairs of the Directorate General of Sea Transportation, Heri Junaedi Bakhri, in his official statement on Thursday (19/3/2026). At 14:00 WITA, the body was reported to have been repatriated via KMP Dharma Kencana 9 on the Gilimanuk-Ketapang route. Additionally, the Head of the Cilacap Navigation District has been assigned to receive the body at the funeral home in Kebumen as a representation of the Ministry of Transportation’s presence for the family of the late Mrs RP. The Directorate General of Sea Transportation stated that it continues to coordinate with all stakeholders to ensure the smooth and safe flow of migration across the Bali Strait. “To all migrant workers, we also urge you to always pay attention to your health condition before and during the journey, get sufficient rest, and immediately report to on-site officers if you feel unwell. The safety of lives is the utmost priority,” said Heri.