An Algerian national was evacuated from Lake Sunter in North Jakarta after spending several hours in the water and reportedly claiming he was performing a spiritual ritual.
The man, identified by the initials BZ, 30, was found in the middle of Lake Sunter in Sunter Jaya, Tanjung Priok, on Sunday evening (30 August 2026). His presence attracted the attention of hundreds of local residents, who gathered around the lake as the situation continued into the night.
According to the North Jakarta Fire and Rescue Agency, firefighters received a report about the man at 6.10pm. Six personnel arrived at the scene at 6.24pm and began efforts to bring him safely back to shore.
The operation was not immediate, as BZ initially refused to follow instructions from the rescue team. Firefighters subsequently spent around three hours negotiating with him before the evacuation was completed at 9.41pm.
“The incident involved the removal of a foreign national who was soaking in Lake Sunter. The situation required a process of persuasive negotiation,” said Gatot Sulaiman, Head of Operations for the North Jakarta Fire and Rescue Agency, on Monday (31 August).
Joint Team Involved in Evacuation
The operation involved personnel from the Jakarta Fire and Rescue Agency, the police, the Indonesian Military, the Public Order Agency (Satpol PP), the Social Affairs Agency, the Tanjung Priok Social Welfare Response Unit (P3S) and the Sunter Jaya Community Early Warning Forum (FKDM).
Immigration officers were also involved after authorities initially struggled to establish the man’s identity and nationality. Following his safe removal from the lake, BZ was handed over to Immigration authorities for further examination.
A video of the evacuation, obtained by detikcom from firefighters, showed BZ calmly sitting in the water while officers attempted to persuade him to leave.
In the footage, one firefighter explained to BZ that the issue was not the time of night but the regulations governing the lake.
“It’s not a matter of time; it’s not about it being midnight. It’s a matter of regulations. This lake is not to be used for swimming,” the firefighter said in English.
The firefighter then urged BZ to comply with the authorities.
“So, if you respect our rules, you have to come with us. You need to come with us right now,” he said.
The firefighter also addressed BZ’s reference to religion and rituals, telling him: “No, we can talk about this—about your religion or rituals—somewhere else, not here by the lake.”
Gatot said BZ had been in the lake earlier in the day and was initially brought to safety by the Social Affairs Agency. However, he later returned to the water and continued soaking until the evening.
“The Algerian national was performing a ritual associated with his beliefs by soaking in the water; he started during the day and was initially secured by the Social Agency. Later, he resumed the activity in the afternoon and continued until 21:41 WIB,” Gatot said.
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Immigration Identifies BZ as Investor
After the evacuation, Immigration officials confirmed that BZ is an Algerian national and an investor holding a Limited Stay Permit Card (KITAS) under investor status.
“When the foreign national’s name was entered into the system and his photo matched, the data showed that he is a KITAS holder with the status of an investor,” said Yuris Setiawan, Head of the Intelligence and Enforcement Section at the Tanjung Priok Immigration Office, as reported by Antara on Monday (31 August).
Yuris said BZ did not have his passport or other supporting documents with him when he was examined at the Immigration office. Officials are continuing to verify his personal details and legal status in Indonesia.
He also said the man did not appear to have a mental health disorder. “He doesn’t have a mental disorder; he engages in coherent conversation,” Yuris said.
According to Yuris, BZ may have been frustrated and believed that carrying out the ritual at the lake could draw public and official attention.
The Immigration official said BZ admitted that he had deliberately performed the ritual in the hope of attracting attention and eventually returning to Algeria.
“Regarding the actions taken by the foreign national at Lake Sunter, it is suspected that he did it intentionally to garner sympathy from the public and officials,” Yuris said.
The incident had caused concern among some residents who gathered at the lake. One local resident, Andy, said he hoped authorities would take action to prevent similar incidents.
“I hope the government will deport foreigners like this immediately so that similar incidents do not happen again,” Andy said on Monday (31 August).
Authorities have since continued to coordinate over BZ’s immigration status and the circumstances surrounding his actions at Lake Sunter.
