As Many as 154 Suffer ARI After Tangerang Landfill Fire
- 01 Jul 2026 20:21 WIB
- Voice of Indonesia
Key Points
- The Tangerang Regency Health Agency is prioritizing the safety of pregnant women and toddlers after a landfill fire in Jatiwaringin, Mauk Subdistrict, Banten Province caused 154 acute respiratory infection (ARI) cases.
- A joint medical team has been deployed to five emergency health posts across Rajeg, Mauk, and Sukadiri Subdistricts.
RRI.CO.ID, Tangerang Regency - The Tangerang Regency Health Agency is prioritizing the safety of mothers and children after pregnant women and toddlers accounted for the majority of 154 acute respiratory infection (ARI) cases caused by the Jatiwaringin landfill fire in Mauk Subdistrict, Banten Province. To restore their physical condition, a joint medical team was deployed to provide intensive care at five emergency health posts from Wednesday, 1 July 2026.
"We have examined around 154 people since Tuesday night, 30 June 2026. The majority suffered ARI," said Tangerang Regency Health Agency Head, Hendra Tarmizi, in Tangerang on Wednesday, 1 July 2026.
He said pregnant women and toddlers identified with ARI have received medical treatment to recover their health. One patient among the hundreds affected has been referred for intensive care at the local regional public hospital (RSUD).
"One case, a pregnant woman, we referred to the RSUD for treatment," he said, as quoted by Antara.
Hendra added that, given the emergency, 25 medical personnel were deployed as part of a health team through community health centers (puskesmas) across three subdistricts, which are Rajeg, Mauk and Sukadiri. The Tangerang Regency Administration has also opened five integrated service posts.
"We have opened four posts and one standby post. Three posts are in Rajeg Subdistrict, one is in Sukadiri Subdistrict, and the standby post is here at the Jatiwaringin landfill, Mauk Subdistrict," he explained.
The Health Agency is also implementing mitigation and prevention measures against the spread of smoke from the Jatiwaringin landfill fire.
"We have instructed all our puskesmas to be on alert so that if smoke reaches their areas they will be ready with masks. Today I ordered the Health Agency team to increase mask stocks for puskesmas we expect to be affected," he said.
The Emergency Response Deputy of the National Disaster Mitigation Agency (BNPB) has been monitoring the ongoing fire, which still has the potential to spread, as of Wednesday morning. BNPB Head, Suharyanto, instructed personnel to proceed to the site for further assessment, coordinate with local authorities, and strengthen firefighting efforts.
Preliminary field assessments show firefighting is hampered because the burning material consists mainly of waste and other highly flammable substances. The fire is located in large, hard‑to‑reach piles of trash, complicating access for crews. Strong winds and hot weather have further accelerated the fire’s spread in multiple directions.
To speed up containment, he ordered the deployment of water‑bombing helicopters to support aerial firefighting operations. "We are bringing in two water‑bombing helicopters and, if needed, will conduct weather modification operations," he said.
Ground firefighting continues with 10 fire engines from various agencies. Crews are concentrating efforts on accessible areas to slow the fire’s advance. ***
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