Three Workers Die in East Jakarta Culvert, Suspected Gas Inhalation

Three workers died in a work accident in a culvert in the Bambu Apus area, Cipayung, East Jakarta. The workers are suspected to have died after inhaling gas, causing them to lose consciousness. “It is suspected they died from inhaling gas, causing them to lose consciousness,” said Head of Public Relations for the East Jakarta Police, AKP Made Budi, on Sunday (12/7/2026). Made did not elaborate on the specific type of gas inhaled by the victims. Made confirmed that two Indonesian citizens and one Chinese national died in the incident. He stated that the families of the Indonesian workers did not wish for an autopsy to be performed. “The two Indonesian victims have been taken by their families, who did not consent to an autopsy. The third victim is a foreign national from China.” Police have now examined eight witnesses regarding the incident. “Eight witnesses have been questioned,” he said. The fatal incident occurred on Thursday (9/7) and killed three people. Jakarta Governor Pramono Anung stated that the three were subcontractors or third-party workers engaged in a project. “I have received a report from the President Director of PAM Jaya. It is true there were three people,” Pramono said in the Cawang area, East Jakarta, on Friday (10/7). The three victims were found dead on Thursday (9/7) at 10:20 WIB. The victims were evacuated immediately after being discovered. Head of Operations for the East Jakarta Fire and Rescue Sub-department, Abdul Wahid, said the evacuation process began at 10:00 WIB. Officers evacuated the victims using various equipment. Wahid said the incident began when one worker lost consciousness after entering the culvert. Two colleagues who initially tried to help also fainted and ultimately died. “A project worker was entering the culvert, then fainted halfway down the ladder. His friend tried to help but also fainted. Then another person entered and fainted as well. The total number of victims is three dead,” Wahid explained on Thursday (9/7).