PARMONANGAN — Five workers remain missing and are presumed buried under tons of earth and rock after a catastrophic landslide engulfed the PT Tamaris Hydro power plant in North Tapanuli early Tuesday morning (26/11), with families now demanding answers about the company’s future operations and safety protocols.
The Night Shift That Ended in Tragedy
According to exclusive accounts from family members to Hey Bali News, the five employees were working the night shift and remained reachable by phone throughout Tuesday evening. The situation turned catastrophic in the pre-dawn hours of Wednesday when the mountainside suddenly gave way, burying the power house, office facilities, and worker accommodations.
“When we arrived at the scene at 6:20 AM Wednesday, everything was already completely destroyed,” said a family member of three victims from Hutatua Village. “They were just doing their jobs, working the night shift as usual.”
The Missing Five: Identities Confirmed
Hey Bali News can now confirm the identities of the missing workers:
- Wilviton HutaSoit (30), Operator – Hutatua Village, Parmonangan
- Gideon Manalu (25), Operator – Manalu Dolok Village, Parmonangan
- Sahat Manalu (40), Technician – Hutatua Village, Parmonangan
- Togu Manalu (26), Technician – Hutatua Village, Parmonangan
- Farida (40), Cook – Tebing Tinggi City
Three of the missing—Wilviton, Sahat, and Togu—are from Hutatua Village, representing devastating losses for multiple families in the small community.
Rescue Timeline Revealed
The National Search and Rescue Agency (Basarnas) team arrived at the disaster site at 12 PM on Tuesday, approximately six hours after the landslide was discovered. However, the challenging terrain and subsequent road blockages hampered rescue efforts, with heavy equipment facing significant delays in reaching the remote location.
Community Demands Corporate Accountability
As search operations continue into the second day (Thursday, 27/11), urgent questions mount about PT Tamaris Hydro’s responsibility and future in Hutatua Village.
“Will PT Tamaris Hydro continue operating here in Hutatua after this?” asked one family member, echoing community concerns. “We need to know what really happened in the early hours of the morning, when the landslide is estimated to have occurred, and what the company plans to do going forward.”
Bali’s Tri Hita Karana: A Lesson in Environmental Harmony
From a Balinese philosophical perspective, this tragedy resonates deeply with the principles of Tri Hita Karana—the sacred balance between people, nature, and spirituality.
“The Parmonangan landslide is a painful reminder of what happens when we prioritize industrial development over environmental wisdom,” observed a Balinese cultural expert. “Tri Hita Karana teaches us that harmony with nature isn’t optional—it’s essential for human safety and prosperity.”
Ongoing Search and Investigation
Rescue teams continue operations under challenging conditions, with the difficult terrain and unstable ground complicating efforts to locate the missing workers. Both company officials and local government authorities face mounting pressure to provide transparent information about the disaster’s causes and the company’s safety record.
Current Status:
- 5 workers missing since Tuesday pre-dawn landslide
- Basarnas team arrived Tuesday at 12 PM
- Heavy equipment operations ongoing despite challenging access
- No official statement from PT Tamaris Hydro regarding operational future
- Community demands full investigation into safety protocols
Reported by Dodo Manalu
Written by Hey Bali Newsroom