Java Massive Blackout caused by Trees, Police Says

TEMPO.CO, Jakarta - The Indonesian National Police main headquarters suspected that the blackout across multiple regions in nearly half of Java Island, which occurred on Sunday, August 4, 2019, was caused by trees.

Police Brigadier General Dedi Prasetyo revealed that a field investigation found that there was a tall tree, growing over the limits of what is considered safe, causing an electrical arc flash to a transmission tower.

"So there was a team from the Central Java Police that investigated the scene of the incident near the transmission tower at Malom Village in Gunung Pati, Semarang District. The temporary analysis seems to suggest that a tree that was over the ROW [Rights of Way] limit caused an arc flash," said Dedi at his office on Monday, August 5, 2019.

Regarding other possible factors, Dedi said the Police did not find traces of possible sabotage. However, the Police will wait for the official investigation report from the team that consists of Police criminal investigation unit (Bareskrim) and personnel from the state-owned electricity company PLN.

"Wait for the investigation report from the central team who are conducting a field investigation," he said. "[This is to determine] whether the power outage was caused by technical issues, human error, or was because of natural causes."

Regions in Java Island experienced a massive blackout on Sunday, August 4, after lights went out nearly simultaneously across Jakarta, West Java, Banten, and Central Java.

ANDITA RAHMA