Indonesia Deploys Special Forces to Decontaminate Cesium-137 Radiation Site in Banten

October 12, 2025 | 07:49 pm

TEMPO.CO, Jakarta - Indonesian government will deploy hundreds of personnel from the National Police’s Mobile Brigade (Brimob) Bomb Disposal Unit (Gegana) and the Army’s Nuclear, Biological, and Chemical (NBC) Engineering Detachment to conduct direct decontamination at several sites contaminated with Cesium-137 radioactive material in the Modern Industrial Area of Cikande, Serang Regency, Banten, on Monday, October 13, 2025.

“Tomorrow, Monday, we will deploy the troops, including additional personnel from the TNI’s Denzi Nublika unit,” said Minister of Environment Hanif Faisol Nurofiq in Depok City on Sunday, October 12, 2025.

Hanif explained that a troop assembly will be held on Monday morning before the decontamination begins. The operation will focus on ten locations identified as contaminated zones.

“Previously, the work was done alternately at points A and F. Starting tomorrow, we will complete the decontamination at the remaining eight points simultaneously,” he said.

A photo taken on October 7, 2025, shows Gegana Brimob Polri personnel decontaminating vehicles affected by Cesium-137 in the same industrial area.

According to Hanif, a total of 150 Gegana officers and 150 members of the Denzi Nublika unit will be deployed to the site. The operation will also involve personnel from the Ministry of Health, the Banten Provincial Government, and the Serang Regency Government.

Gegana Brimob Polri personnel decontaminating vehicles contaminated with Cesium-137 in the Modern Industrial Area Cikande, Serang Regency, Banten, October 7, 2025. Tempo/Tony Hartawan

“Tomorrow’s joint operation will have different teams. Some will focus on decontamination, others on public outreach and health services for the local community,” Hanif said.

As the Daily Chair of the Cesium-137 Radiation Hazard Handling Task Force, Hanif also stated that the National Research and Innovation Agency (BRIN) has completed the mapping of all contaminated areas in Cikande.

“All Gegana and Denzi Nublika teams will follow the safety standards and operational procedures established by BRIN in handling Cesium-137 contamination,” he emphasized.

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