Metro Police Mobile Brigade Assists in Evacuation of Victims from Bantargebang Waste Landslide
A catastrophic landslide of a waste heap occurred at the Bantargebang Integrated Waste Processing Site (TPST) in Bekasi City, West Java, resulting in fatalities. The pile of rubbish unexpectedly collapsed, crushing a queue of trucks and residents in the surrounding area.
Personnel from Battalion D Pelopor Satbrimob of the Metro Jaya Regional Police were deployed to the site to assist in victim evacuation efforts alongside a joint task force. At the location, Mobile Brigade personnel conducted area surveys of the landslide, evacuated victims, and assisted in securing the site during evacuation operations.
Additionally, personnel participated in search and rescue (SAR) operations to help locate victims suspected of being buried under landslide material.
The Commander of Metro Jaya Regional Police Mobile Brigade, Brigadier General Henik Maryanto, stated that personnel deployment was undertaken as a rapid response to assist victim evacuation. He also visited the site directly alongside the Metro Jaya Regional Police Chief and senior officials from the Metro Jaya Regional Police Command to monitor evacuation operations in the field.
“We deployed personnel to assist evacuation efforts together with SAR elements and relevant agencies to ensure the response process proceeds safely and in an orderly manner,” said Henik Maryanto.
Preliminary data indicated approximately 10 people were affected by the incident. These included sanitation truck drivers and residents in the vicinity of the processing site.
Several evacuated victims were found deceased whilst others survived, though officials continued area surveys to ensure no other victims remained buried under landslide material.
As of Sunday evening (8 March), search and evacuation operations continued to be conducted by a joint task force comprising Mobile Brigade personnel, Basarnas, the Regional Disaster Management Agency (BPBD), and volunteers. SAR teams from Mobile Brigade units were also reinforced to assist in victim search operations in the landslide area.
The landslide occurred in the waste heap at zone 4 of the Bantargebang Landfill in Bekasi, West Java. Three people were found dead as a result of being buried by the landslide.
“A landslide has occurred in zone 4 of the Bantargebang Landfill at 15:29 WIB on 8 March and three fatalities have been found,” stated Desiana Kartika Bahari in a written statement on Sunday (8 March).
Desiana noted the incident was reported to have occurred in the afternoon at approximately 15:29 WIB. At the time of the incident, numerous rubbish trucks and several people were conducting activities at the location.