Rescue Workers Search for Victims of Waste Dump Collapse at Bantar Gebang

Rescue workers operated heavy machinery whilst conducting a search for victims of a waste pile collapse at the Bantar Gebang Integrated Waste Processing Facility (TPST) in Bekasi, West Java, on Monday.

According to preliminary data from the Jakarta Basarnas (National Search and Rescue Agency) on Monday morning, thirteen people were affected by the incident, with five confirmed dead, four rescued alive, and four others still missing.

A waste heap approximately 50 metres high in Zone IV of the Bantar Gebang facility collapsed on Sunday at approximately 14:30 Western Indonesia Time. The collapse left workers and vehicles in the immediate vicinity buried under the debris.

As of 10:15 WIB on the morning of the incident, heavy equipment continued to sift through the collapsed waste piles. The Ministry of Environment and the Environmental Control Board (KLH/BPLH) initiated a comprehensive investigation into the incident, including law enforcement measures to ensure that Jakarta’s waste management does not result in further loss of life.

The Jakarta Provincial Environmental Agency (DLH) activated an Emergency Response Operation with rapid and coordinated handling by a multi-agency joint task force. Efforts focused on worker safety, victim management, and accelerating the evacuation of vehicles affected by the collapse.

Environment Minister Hanif Faisol Nurofiq stated that the government prioritises the evacuation of all victims whilst launching a comprehensive investigation to take firm action against any negligence in management that endangers public safety.

Search and rescue operations proceeded by combing the incident site using heavy equipment and personnel support from various relevant agencies.