Published: 10:30, March 10, 2026
Indonesia says 7 killed in landfill collapse as rescue operation ends
By Reuters
In this photo released by the Indonesian National Search and Rescue Agency (BASARNAS) on March 9, 2026, rescuers use heavy machines to search for victims of an avalanche of garbage that killed multiple people at a dump site in Bantargebang, West Java, Indonesia. (PHOTO / BASARNAS VIA AP)

JAKARTA- Indonesian authorities have ended rescue operations at a landfill collapse that killed ​seven people as all those who ‌were at the site have been accounted for, an official said on Tuesday.

A mountain of garbage collapsed ​on Sunday at the Bantargebang landfill, ​the largest in the country, triggered by ⁠heavy rains.

Rescuers wrapped up the search ​operation at the site on the outskirts of ​Jakarta, after finding the last of seven victims buried in the landfill, said Desiana Kartika Bahari, head ​of the local rescue agency. Six people ​survived the incident.

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On Monday, the agency had said that four ‌people ⁠were killed, four had survived and five were still missing.

"We received information from police that two among those missing were safe ​and had returned ​to ⁠their homes," Bahari said.

The casualties were truck drivers and owners of ​food stalls at the landfill site, ​she ⁠said.

More than 200 rescuers used excavators and thermal drones to find the victims during the ⁠search ​operation.

Bantargebang spans around 110 hectares ​and receives 6,500 to 7,000 tons of waste every ​day.