Two Primary School Students Found Dead After Landslide at Sand Quarry in Southwest Sumba

Two primary school students named Arjuna Saputra Gono Ate (12) and Sardianto Rato Pote (7) were found dead after being buried by a landslide at a sand quarry (galian C) in Kampung Tilu Mareda, Desa Djela Manu, Kecamatan Wewewa Utara, Kabupaten Sumba Barat Daya, East Nusa Tenggara. The bodies were discovered on the evening of 16 March 2026.

“Both child victims buried under the sand and soil landslide have been found deceased,” stated Wewewa Timur Police Chief Ipda Adi Ariadi Amin to detikBali on Monday (16 March 2026).

Adi reported that Arjuna and Sardianto were discovered during search operations utilising an excavator. The search effort involved officers from Wewewa Timur Police Station, Military District Command 1629/Southwest Sumba, the Regional Disaster Management Agency (BPBD), and local residents.

According to Adi, both victims have been taken to their respective homes for preparation of burial rites. Meanwhile, a third survivor named Anderias Bili remains under medical care following injuries to his head from the collapsed material.

“The deceased victims are temporarily laid to rest at their respective homes. The survivor is still undergoing medical treatment,” Adi concluded.

The incident occurred when three residents were buried by sand quarry material in Kampung Tilu Mareda around 10:00 AM local time on Monday (16 March). The victims were Anderias Bili and two primary school students, Arjuna Saputra Gono Ate (12) and Sardianto Rato Pote (7). Anderias was found alive, whilst the two children were initially reported missing.

According to Bernardus Mbili, Spokesperson for Southwest Sumba Police, the incident began when Anderias went to excavate earth with the two children for church construction purposes at a location near their homes. Upon arrival at the site, Anderias began digging whilst Arjuna and Sardianto played in an abandoned excavation pit. Bernardus noted that Anderias had warned the children not to play in the old quarry pit.

Shortly afterwards, earth material suddenly collapsed and buried all three individuals. Anderias managed to pull his son Juandri Saputra Inangele out of the landslide zone to safety. However, Arjuna and Sardianto were already buried.

After the incident, Anderias attempted to dig out the two buried victims. However, a secondary landslide occurred, striking Anderias on the head with rocks. Anderias quickly moved away from the unstable area and returned home to seek assistance from neighbours to search for the two boys trapped in the landslide.