Indonesian authorities have concluded rescue efforts at the Bantargebang landfill, the country’s largest, following a collapse that claimed seven lives over the weekend, officials confirmed on Tuesday (Mar 10).
Heavy rains on Sunday caused a mountain of garbage to give way at the landfill on the outskirts of Jakarta, burying several workers and vendors. The search operation was officially wrapped up after rescuers located the final victim, according to Desiana Kartika Bahari, head of the local rescue agency.
Six individuals survived the collapse, and two previously reported missing were later confirmed safe and had returned home, Bahari added.
The casualties included truck drivers and food stall owners working at the landfill. More than 200 rescuers employed excavators and thermal drones during the recovery efforts to locate the victims.
Bantargebang covers approximately 110 hectares and handles 6,500 to 7,000 tons of waste daily, making it the largest waste disposal site in Indonesia.
