Zone 4 of Bantargebang Integrated Waste Processing Facility Closed, Victims Still Buried under Rubbish

The Jakarta Provincial Government has temporarily closed the Bantargebang Integrated Waste Processing Facility (TPST) following a landslide incident in the vicinity of Zone 4 on Sunday, 8 March.

The Head of the Jakarta Environmental Services Agency (DLH), Asep Kuswanto, stated that the temporary closure of Bantargebang TPST would continue until victim evacuation operations are completed.

“We have completely closed Zone 4 for the evacuation process. On average, approximately 7,300 to 7,500 tonnes of waste enter daily, with around 1,200 truck loads,” said Asep during an inspection of the landslide site in Bekasi on Monday, 9 March.

The agency is working to identify alternative dumping sites in other zones to prevent waste accumulation in Jakarta. Meanwhile, operations of the Refuse Derived Fuel (RDF) Plant in Rorotan, North Jakarta, continue to be pursued.

“We also hope the RDF facility in Rorotan can operate today to provide some relief, although its capacity is not yet at maximum,” he said.

The Jakarta DLH responded swiftly to the incident by immediately activating emergency response operations following the landslide at the Bantargebang TPST.

Rapid and coordinated measures were taken to ensure the safety of field personnel, manage victims, and stabilise the affected area so that waste management services could be restored promptly.

Since the incident was reported, the agency immediately mobilised teams and coordinated operations in cooperation with multiple agencies.

The joint team involved included Army Unit 7/155 GS Kodam Jaya, the Jakarta Disaster Management Agency (BPBD), Bekasi City BPBD, Bekasi Fire Department, Bantargebang Police Sector, and the Bantargebang Military District Command.

“Once the incident was reported, we immediately activated emergency response operations. Our primary priority is the safety of personnel, victim management, and accelerating the evacuation of vehicles buried under the landslide,” he said.

The waste landslide resulted in four deaths: Enda Widayanti (25), Sumini (60), Dedi Sutrisno (22), and Iwan Supriyatin (40).

“Two people were rescued and four people were found dead. Currently, teams are continuing to search for other victims believed to still be buried under the waste landslide,” said the Head of Jakarta Search and Rescue Office, Desiana Kartika Bahari.