Landslide at Bantargebang Landfill Kills Five People

The death toll from a massive landslide at the Bantargebang Integrated Waste Management Facility (TPST) in Bekasi City, Indonesia, has risen to five, officials confirmed on Monday, March 9, 2026. Rescue efforts are ongoing as authorities search for additional individuals who remain missing after the collapse of a large pile of garbage on Sunday afternoon.

Details of the Incident

The landslide occurred on Sunday, March 8, 2026, at approximately 2:00 PM local time. Witnesses reported a sudden and catastrophic collapse of a significant volume of waste, engulfing nearby stalls and several garbage trucks. Residents heard screams before witnessing the collapse, which blocked the road and impacted surrounding structures. Archyde reported that information about the incident quickly spread through security communication groups within the TPST, prompting a swift response from emergency services.

Rescue and Recovery Efforts

Authorities swiftly mobilized a coordinated response, with police from the Bantargebang Sector Police arriving on the scene shortly after receiving notification. Officers from various agencies are utilizing heavy equipment, including excavators, in the ongoing search for victims. The latest victim was discovered around 12:05 WIB (Western Indonesian Time) and transported to RS Polri Kramat Jati hospital for identification, according to Ramli Prasetyo, a spokesperson for the Jakarta Search and Rescue Agency (Basarnas). Kompas reported that the bodies of the victims were taken to the Police Hospital for identification.

Ongoing Concerns

The incident highlights the long-standing waste management crisis in Jakarta and underscores the inherent risks associated with large-scale waste disposal sites. Authorities have initiated safety reviews of waste management practices in the region in response to the disaster. Detik confirmed that five people have died as a result of the landslide.