Mudik travellers urged to switch off engines to prevent carbon monoxide poisoning while queuing at Ciwandan Port

The Banten Police (Polda Banten) are asking Mudik travellers to switch off the engines of their motorcycles while queuing at Ciwandan Port, in the city of Cilegon. This is to prevent poisoning from inhaling carbon monoxide (CO).

Banten Police Chief Inspector General Hengki inspected Ciwandan Port and delivered comments to his officers and to Pelindo. He noted that in 2025 there were incidents where people nearly fainted from inhaling CO from exhausts.

“Yes, later we hope that when travellers using two-wheeled vehicles are waiting under tents before boarding the ship, we will urge them to switch off their vehicles so as not to inhale CO,” Hengki said, on Wednesday (4 March 2026).

Officers will give direct warnings to Mudik travellers on-site. The policy was taken to keep travellers comfortable and safe.

“CO is a poisonous gas that can cause fainting and other effects. We will use loudspeakers to issue warnings,” he said.

Hengki said the government is preparing all facilities at Ciwandan Port. In addition to the vehicle queue area being covered by tents, officers are setting up service posts and health posts for travellers.

“Also SMEs, portable toilets, places of worship, including security posts, service posts, and health posts are being prepared here. Everyone is working together,” he said.

He said preparations were completed by 9 March 2026. In addition, coal loading and unloading will be halted during the mudik period.

“The latest by 9 March, God willing, it will be ready. Moreover, as mentioned earlier, coal loading and unloading will end and operations will be halted by the 9th,” he said.

(aik/whn)