Residents of Meliau Hilir Hamlet, Meliau Hilir Village, Meliau District, Sanggau Regency, were thrown into panic on Friday (October 17, 2025) around 11:00 a.m. A barge loaded with bauxite suddenly went out of control and crashed into several boats, floating houses, and fish cages along the Kapuas River.
According to local witnesses, the barge was being towed by the tugboat TB Mega Sukses, which had departed from PT MAS Jetty in Penyelimau Village around 7:30 a.m., heading toward Kendawangan District, Ketapang Regency.
While cruising along the Kapuas River, the captain reportedly had to make a sharp maneuver to avoid a large rock in the shipping lane. Unfortunately, even though the tugboat managed to steer clear, the barge it was towing became unstable and difficult to control. As a result, the barge drifted toward the riverbank and slammed into several boats and fish cages owned by residents.
The impact was severe — three floating toilets, two fish cages, and 17 small boats were badly damaged, with some even sinking.
“I heard a loud crash from the river, and when I ran out, I saw the barge had already hit the floating houses and boats. I shouted to warn others because it looked like the barge was getting closer to our homes,” said Rudiansyah, one of the affected residents.
The tugboat pilot, Zulhadi, explained that he had tried his best to control the barge by increasing engine power, but the strong current and heavy bauxite load made it impossible to steer properly. The collision, he said, was unavoidable.
Police officers who arrived at the scene immediately conducted an investigation and documented the damage. Based on their report, total material losses reached Rp138.3 million (around USD 8,400).
The losses included damaged boats belonging to Efendi, Rosni, Rivai, Rudiansyah, Hendri, Budiono, Satria Mutaqin, Hairani, Supardi, Madiono, Surhan, Anton, M. Imam Syari, Samen, and Nazarudin, as well as three floating toilets owned by residents of RT 7, Meliau Hilir Hamlet.
Meliau Police Chief AKP Supariyanto, S.H. said his team quickly went to the scene after receiving reports from residents. Officers secured the barge and the TB Mega Sukses tugboat for further investigation.
“There were no casualties in this incident. Both parties have agreed to resolve the matter amicably. The situation remains calm and under control,” AKP Supariyanto told reporters.
After mediation facilitated by Meliau Police, the management of TB Mega Sukses (PT Rimba Mega Armada) agreed to compensate residents for the full amount of their losses — Rp138.3 million. The payment was made via bank transfer to Satria Mutaqin, who represented the affected residents, based on a verified damage report.
Following the signing of a peace agreement, both sides agreed not to pursue any further legal action. Residents also expressed gratitude to the police and the company for their quick and fair response.
AKP Supariyanto emphasized that this incident should serve as an important lesson for shipping operators and mining companies to prioritize navigation safety, especially when passing through densely populated river areas.
“In the future, we’ll strengthen coordination with shipping companies and local authorities to ensure the safety of people living along the Kapuas River,” he added.
The incident serves as a strong reminder that river-based transport of mining materials must always prioritize safety and community welfare. Meliau Police have pledged to continue monitoring such activities to maintain peace and security in the region.