Jakarta, March 10: The death toll from the landslide at Indonesia’s largest landfill has increased to seven. This was confirmed by the Jakarta Search and Rescue Office on Tuesday. The rescue operation concluded late Monday night after the last body was recovered.
Desiana Kartika Bahari, head of the Jakarta Search and Rescue Office, stated in a written statement that the search and rescue operation was officially closed after all victims were accounted for and no further missing persons were reported.
The incident occurred on Sunday afternoon at the Bantargebang landfill, a major waste processing center located near the capital, Jakarta. A massive pile of garbage suddenly collapsed, trapping several individuals beneath the debris.
At the time of the accident, food stall operators, truck drivers, and scavengers were present in the area. Several trucks and vehicles were also buried under the waste.
Rescue teams utilized heavy machinery and excavators to clear the debris and retrieve the victims. Many bodies were recovered from beneath the large heaps of garbage.
Among the deceased are two truck drivers and two food stall operators who were working or resting near the landfill during the incident. However, four individuals managed to escape unharmed.
Over 300 search and rescue personnel were deployed for this extensive operation, with teams from the police, military, and volunteers also on-site. Sniffer dogs and heavy machinery were employed during the rescue efforts.
This is not the first such incident at this location; a similar landslide occurred in 2005, resulting in numerous fatalities.
According to Indonesia’s Ministry of Environment, the recurring incidents indicate that the excessive pressure from waste at this 110-hectare landfill poses a serious threat. Approximately 6,500 to 7,000 tons of waste are brought in daily from Jakarta, continuously increasing the risk.
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