Severe Congestion Causes 17 Homebound Travellers to Collapse at Gilimanuk Port in Bali

Severe congestion stretching 32 kilometres to Gilimanuk Port, Jembrana, Bali resulted in 17 homebound travellers collapsing on Sunday, 15 March, due to exhaustion and exposure to extreme heat whilst queuing to board ferries.

The travellers had been waiting approximately 14 hours without boarding. Most victims were motorcyclists who had to contend with dust and intense sunlight along the main Denpasar-Gilimanuk route. Medical teams from the Jembrana Police Medical Unit provided first aid at congestion points throughout the route.

Aiptu I Gusti Bagus Adi Sadnyana Putra, Head of the Medical Unit at Jembrana Police, confirmed that by Sunday afternoon, his team had attended to dozens of homebound travellers experiencing serious health complications.

“All have been treated and all cases were due to exhaustion. In total, we medically evacuated 17 people,” said Adi.

Of the 17 people, 16 were diagnosed with heat syncope—a condition of fainting or sudden dizziness caused by exposure to high temperatures. This condition triggers blood vessel dilation, causing a drastic reduction in blood flow to the brain.

“Sixteen people who experienced heat syncope have been treated and declared able to continue their journey. Meanwhile, one person suffered a laceration,” explained Adi.

The individual with the laceration received medical treatment including wound suturing and prescribed medication according to medical indications.

Not only adults but also an infant had to be evacuated by Jembrana Police personnel on Saturday, 14 March, in the evening. The infant, accompanied by parents, was transported to the Cargo Service Post after showing signs of health complications from being trapped in congestion for hours.