A sudden collapse at a project in Ungasan, South Kuta, on Friday afternoon resulted in two fatalities and one injury, with rescue teams working cautiously in unstable conditions.
UNGASAN, South Kuta — A landslide at a construction site in Ungasan claimed the lives of two workers and injured a third on Friday afternoon, January 23, 2026, prompting a multi-agency rescue operation.
The incident occurred when a retaining wall suddenly collapsed, burying three workers. According to witness accounts from fellow workers, eight individuals were at the site at the time—three positioned above and five below. The five workers below managed to escape, while the three above were caught in the slide.
Rescue teams, alerted at approximately 1:30 PM local time, arrived swiftly at the scene. “We immediately followed up on the report and went to the field with personnel from the TNI, Polri, and other related potentials,” said I Nyoman Sidakarya, Head of the Denpasar Search and Rescue Office (Basarnas).
Initial efforts led to the quick evacuation of two victims. However, one of them, identified as Farhan, was pronounced dead upon arrival at Udayana Hospital. The surviving worker, Muhammad Waki, received hospital treatment.
The rescue operation for the remaining missing worker proceeded with extreme caution due to ongoing instability in the area, with visible cracks posing a risk of further landslides. Heavy machinery was deployed under close supervision to carefully excavate the site.
“The excavation was done slowly and in stages because we feared vibrations might trigger a secondary slide,” Sidakarya explained. A bag belonging to the victim was first located, narrowing the search. At 2:40 PM, the body of the final victim, identified as Shohibul Hasan, 25, was sighted and fully evacuated by 3:00 PM.
“We can confirm one person was found alive and two people were found deceased,” Sidakarya stated. The bodies were transported to Sanglah General Hospital.
The joint operation involved personnel from Basarnas Denpasar, local military and police, the Badung Fire Department, volunteer rescue groups, and community leaders.
The tragic accident underscores the inherent risks at construction sites, particularly during Bali’s rainy season when soil stability can be compromised, and highlights the coordinated response of local emergency services.
Hey Bali News reports on this incident with respect for the victims and their families and as a reminder of the importance of worksite safety, especially during periods of severe weather.
