Sacrificial Cow Falls into Septic Tank in Mojokerto, Dramatic 3-Hour Rescue

A resident’s sacrificial cow fell into a septic tank in Dusun Ardilangu, Ngembeh Village, Dlanggu, Mojokerto, in a dramatic incident. A three-hour rescue operation by firefighters and volunteers successfully extracted the animal alive. The rescue of Sutrisno’s (56) cow involved over a dozen firefighters from BPBD Mojokerto’s Pos 1 Mojoanyar and volunteers, using two tripod pulley systems to haul the cow from the septic tank. The narrow 1-metre diameter opening made it difficult for officers to secure ropes around the animal, requiring two personnel to descend to the 6-metre depth to tie the ropes. They raced against time as the cow’s condition worsened at the bottom. ‘The main challenge was the extremely narrow opening, making it hard to attach ropes to the cow. The ropes slipped multiple times due to the animal’s weakened state,’ said Sukamto, Commander of BPBD Mojokerto’s Pos 1 Mojoanyar Fire Station, at the scene on Tuesday, 26 May. Firefighters activated a blower to increase oxygen supply inside the tank and installed bamboo scaffolding along the edges for stability, as the pit was prone to collapse. The operation ran from 16:00 to 19:20 WIB, with repeated rope slippages. Residents erupted in cheers as the cow was finally lifted out of the septic tank.