Search Intensified for Victims Buried in Bantargebang TPST Landslide

A joint search and rescue (SAR) team is continuing efforts to locate victims buried in a landslide at the Bantargebang Integrated Waste Processing Site (TPST) in Bekasi, West Java, on Monday (3/9). The search has been ongoing since the landslide occurred on Sunday (3/8) at around 2:30 p.m.

"The search is being carried out intensively with the support of around 20 excavators,"

Jakarta Disaster Management Agency (BPBD) Head Isnawa Adji said the search operation is still underway, involving multiple rescue units and heavy equipment at the site.

Finding Waste Solutions, Pramono Visits TPST Bantargebang

"The joint SAR team is currently continuing the search for victims suspected to be buried by the landslide at TPST Bantargebang. The search is being carried out intensively with support from heavy equipment to accelerate the evacuation process," he informed.

Several units are involved in the search and evacuation operation, including the Basarnas Special Group (BSG), police and military (TNI) personnel, Bekasi SAR, Bekasi BPBD, Jakarta BPBD, Bekasi Fire and Rescue Agency, Bekasi Environment Agency, Jakarta Environment Agency, and Bantargebang Waste Management Unit (UPST).

Volunteer teams such as Bekasi Indonesian Red Cross (PMI), Pramuka Peduli, and emergency ambulance services have also been deployed to support the evacuation and victim response efforts.

In the operation, Jakarta BPBD has deployed several supporting equipment, including 11 body bags, a 50-meter kernmantle rope, three webbing ropes, five rescue helmets, a portable flashlight, four pairs of gloves, and a box of masks to support the search operation.

"The search is being carried out intensively with the support of around 20 excavators to clear piles of waste material. Teams are also continuing to sweep areas suspected to be where victims may be buried," he explained.

According to preliminary data, four people have been evacuated in deceased condition: Enda Widayanti (25), Sumine (60), Dedi Sutrisno, a garbage truck driver, and Irwan Supriatain (42), also a garbage truck driver.

Four others survived the incident: Johan, Sarifudin, Budiman, and Selamat, all of whom are garbage truck drivers.

Meanwhile, five others are still missing and remain the focus of the search: Riki Supriadi, Hardianto, Ato (resident), Dofir (resident), and Jussova Situmorang (resident). The joint SAR team continues efforts to locate the victims believed to still be buried under landslide debris in the TPST Bantargebang area.

The landslide occurred when several garbage trucks were queuing to unload their waste at the TPST Bantargebang site in Bekasi City, West Java, on Sunday (3/8). At the time, heavy rain lasting for several hours is suspected to have triggered the landslide.

The landslide material suddenly buried five garbage trucks at the site and a small food stall located nearby. Authorities are still assessing the total losses caused by the incident.