Three Dead in East Java Following 'Sound Horeg' Carnival Events in August
Carnivals featuring ‘sound horeng’ (high-decibel sound systems) have claimed more lives in East Java. Within a single month, three people have died as a result of incidents surrounding these events.
The victims range from ordinary citizens to crew members and renters. The first victim was a man identified by the initials SN (29), who died while sleeping on a truck carrying sound horeg equipment while in motion. Tragically, as the vehicle passed through the Krasak gateway in Candijati Village, Arjasa District, his head struck the structure.
“The incident occurred on Sunday (2/8), as the vehicle passed under the village boundary gateway,” said Aiptu Hasan Basri, Squad Leader 1 of the Traffic Police Unit at Jember Police, as reported by detikJatim on Tuesday (1/9/2026).
The second victim was Bonari (44), a resident of Sumbermulyo Village, Pesanggaran District, Banyuwangi. Bonari is suspected to have died from a heart attack while walking along the sound horeg carnival celebrating the 81st Independence Day of Indonesia on Sunday (23/8).
The Sub-district Head of Pesanggaran, Didik Eko Wahyudi, stated that prior to his death, the victim had participated in a session of consuming ‘arak’ (traditional liquor). This drinking session took place before the carnival commenced. After joining the sound horeg parade procession following the consumption of the liquor, the victim’s body suddenly faltered after travelling approximately 1 kilometre from the starting line, and he collapsed onto the asphalt.
The most recent victim is Slamet Timbang (57). A resident of Wringinagung Village, Jombang District, Jember Regency, he was struck by a canopy and a wall while accompanying his wife to a pharmacy. This tragic incident occurred amidst the festive atmosphere of the sound horeg carnival and parade organised by the Wringinagung Village authorities on Saturday (29/8) at approximately 10:30 WIB.
A local resident, Ulum, recounted that the victim was initially standing in the pharmacy area, waiting for his wife to purchase medicine. Suddenly, the building’s wall and canopy collapsed directly onto him.
“The victim was waiting for his wife to buy medicine. Moments later, there was a loud noise and the victim had fallen, crushed by the wall. He died on the spot,” said Ulum.
The loud crash caused by the sudden collapse of the wall caused panic among nearby residents and carnival participants. Local residents, alongside police officers present at the scene, subsequently evacuated the victim’s body.