Waste Mountain Landslide at Bantargebang TPST, Allegedly Triggered by Extreme Rainfall

JAKARTA — Jakarta Governor Pramono Anung attributed the collapse of a waste mound at Bantargebang Waste Treatment Site (TPST) in Bekasi City, West Java on Sunday, 8 March 2026 to extreme rainfall that occurred that day.

The incident claimed four lives.

“The landslide occurred in Zone 4A at 2:30 p.m. local time and is believed to have been triggered by extreme rainfall on Sunday,” Pramono stated at Jakarta City Hall on Monday, 9 March 2026.

According to the governor, continuous rainfall allowed water to seep into the waste pile, creating slippery conditions that caused the waste mass to shift and collapse.

The landslide blocked an operational access road and approximately 40 metres of Ciketing River with waste material.

Four people died after being buried by the waste pile: two drivers, one female waste picker, and a woman aged approximately 60 who was selling goods near the location.

“So two men and two women. One was a woman selling near the site, positioned somewhat at the edge of the road, not directly in the waste area, but she was affected as the landslide expanded,” he explained.

Pramono confirmed that deceased victims employed as Public Infrastructure and Facilities Support Officers (PJLP) under the Environmental Services Agency would receive compensation from the Employment Social Security Agency (BPJS Ketenagakerjaan).

Medical treatment costs for five injured persons would be fully covered by the Jakarta Provincial Government.

As a precautionary measure, operations in Zone 4A have been temporarily suspended. Waste shipments from Jakarta to Bantargebang are being minimised and redirected to Zone 3 and two newly prepared temporary sites.