Indonesian Army Reveals Cause of Pangandaran Bridge Collapse Following Regent's Inauguration
The Pongpet Suspension Bridge in Pangandaran Regency, West Java, collapsed while being traversed by a group led by the Regent of Pangandaran, Citra Pitriyami. The Indonesian Army (TNI AD) has explained the cause of the incident.
“The situation occurred after more than 50 people crossed simultaneously, exceeding the specified capacity, causing the sling cable on the left side of the bridge to detach from the main anchor and causing the bridge to tilt,” stated the Indonesian Army’s Information Service (Dispenad) on Monday (31/8/2026).
The Pongpet Suspension Bridge is located in Margajaya Hamlet, Margacinta Village, Cijulang District, Pangandaran Regency. The bridge nearly broke during the inauguration ceremony held on Sunday (30/8).
Dispenad noted that the bridge did not suffer a total structural collapse. In videos circulating on social media, the bridge’s sling cable was seen snapping as a group of people crossed.
“The main structure of the bridge remains in position, while the part that experienced issues was the sling cable on the left side, which detached from the main anchoring system,” the statement continued.
Prior to its use, the Pangandaran Kodim 0625/Pangandaran had conducted community outreach and installed notice boards on the bridge regarding its capacity and usage regulations. However, the enthusiasm of residents following the inauguration ceremony led to these regulations being ignored. The incident occurred as members of the Regional Leadership Coordination Forum (Forkopimda) and local residents moved towards the event location following the ribbon-cutting ceremony by the Regent.
Following the incident, Kodim 0625/Pangandaran and the Pangandaran Public Works and Spatial Planning Office (Dinas PUPR) immediately took action for repairs. The bridge is currently closed to the public and is undergoing repairs and technical evaluations to ensure safety and feasibility before it can be reopened.
The evaluation includes inspecting the structural strength, the sling cable anchoring system, and the maximum capacity of the bridge. The results will serve as the basis for ensuring all construction components are safe and for refining future usage regulations.
“The Pongpet Suspension Bridge was built by Kodim 0625/Pangandaran as part of an effort to improve access and connectivity for the people of Margacinta Village and surrounding areas. Its presence is expected to support the mobility and socio-economic activities of residents once all repairs are completed,” the statement added.
The Indonesian Army ensured that the handling is being conducted swiftly and precisely, prioritising public safety. The TNI AD released this information to provide a complete picture of the incident and its cause, preventing misinformation or misinterpretation of the facts on the ground.
“This step reflects the TNI AD’s commitment to remaining present with the community, helping to overcome difficulties in the field, and ensuring that every development project provides benefits while prioritising safety and usability,” the statement concluded.