Three Workers Found Dead in East Jakarta Culvert, One a Chinese National

Three workers on a PDAM pipeline network construction project in the Bambu Apus area, Cipayung, East Jakarta, died on Thursday (9/7/2026). The tragic incident immediately drew public attention after one of the victims was identified as a Chinese national. Based on information obtained, the project was being carried out by China Railway 11th Construction Corporation (CRCC 11), a Chinese construction company involved in the project’s execution. The three deceased victims were identified by their initials as S (45), an Indonesian citizen, H (47), an Indonesian citizen, and L.Z. (33), a Chinese citizen. According to initial information, the workers were inspecting and cleaning a borehole by entering the project culvert when the incident occurred. Colleagues at the site later found the victims and attempted a rescue. However, by the time the evacuation process took place, all three had already died. Cipayung Police Chief Kompol Saut Parulian Tobing confirmed the incident. He stated that the event took place around 10:20 WIB and all victims had been evacuated to the Police Hospital for further identification. The exact cause of death for the three workers remains under police investigation. Amid the investigation, attention has also focused on the implementation of occupational health and safety standards in the project undertaken by China Railway 11th Construction Corporation (CRCC 11). The incident, which resulted in the deaths of three workers, raises questions about compliance with safety procedures, on-site supervision mechanisms, and the application of work standards for high-risk activities, including work in confined spaces. Furthermore, it is not yet known whether the incident resulting in the death of a Chinese citizen has been notified to the Embassy of the People’s Republic of China in Indonesia. Given that one of the victims is a Chinese national, a response from the Chinese Embassy is considered important to ascertain whether the embassy has received information regarding the incident and what steps will be taken to provide assistance to the victim’s family and coordinate with relevant parties. The public is also awaiting an official explanation from CRCC 11 regarding the implementation of occupational health and safety procedures in the project, the chronology of the event, and the evaluation steps to be taken post-incident to prevent similar workplace accidents from recurring. As of the time this report was published, there has been no official statement from CRCC 11 or the Embassy of the People’s Republic of China in Indonesia regarding the incident. Meanwhile, the police continue to investigate to determine the exact cause of the event.