Viral Video of Barge Dumping Material in Banten Sea Blamed on Miscommunication

The Banten Provincial Government has addressed a viral video showing a barge dumping material into the sea in the Bojonegara area, Serang Regency, attributing the incident to a miscommunication. The Head of the Banten Marine and Fisheries Agency (DKP), Agus Supriyadi, stated that the material was not waste but macadam stone intended for a port reclamation project.

The incident occurred on 4 July 2026 when the barge crew, preparing to unload, failed to respond to calls to confirm the precise coordinates for the disposal. As a result, the crew unilaterally decided to dump the material at an incorrect location, further out to sea than the designated reclamation boundary.

The error took place at 08:00 WIB and was only noticed at 12:00 WIB, by which time approximately a quarter of the barge’s total load had been discharged. The unloading activity was immediately halted once the mistake was identified.