Karawang Student Drowns After Jumping Into Irrigation Canal to Escape Larger Brawl

REPUBLIKA.CO.ID, BANDUNG — A student identified by initials FI (17) was found dead in an irrigation canal in Dusun Sukajaya I, Kemiri Village, Jayakerta District, Karawang Regency, on Thursday morning (5 March 2026). He is suspected of trying to escape from a brawl after seeing that his opponents were greater in number.

Karawang Police Chief AKBP Fiki Ardiansyah, through the public relations unit, Ipda Cep Wildan, said the body was first discovered by nearby residents. The residents detected a strong odour around the irrigation canal.

‘Residents found the body of a male teenager in the irrigation canal in Dusun Sukajaya I. It was reported to the Rengasdengklok Police Sector,’ he said.

According to testimony from several witnesses, the victim was last seen by his friend Rehan on Tuesday (3 March 2026) at around 23:00 WIB. The public relations head said the two had planned a brawl in front of the Pabrik Kerupuk in Desa Kertasari. However, the brawl plan was cancelled because the number of opponents was too many. The victim then fled on a motorcycle and not long after fell.

‘Because of fear, the victim submerged himself into the irrigation canal,’ he added.

He said the Rengasdengklok Police Sector and Inafis of Karawang Police immediately went to the scene to conduct an on-site examination. The victim’s body has since been taken to RSUD Karawang for autopsy.

‘We are still investigating to determine the cause of the victim’s death,’ Ipda Cep Wildan said.