Despite the popular idiom “durian runtuh” often used to describe unexpected good fortune the reality for some has been quite the opposite.
As reported by SeaAsia.news account and platform Year of the Durian tracked six durian related fatalities in 2012 alone across Malaysia, Philippines, and Indonesia.
The Australian Institute of Marine Science adds context by confirming that around 5-6 people globally die each year from shark attacks.
Documented cases across Southeast Asia show that durians have caused numerous fatal incidents due to their weight, the height from which they fall, and the vulnerability of their trees in storm-prone areas.
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While many celebrate durians as the “King of Fruits,” the overlooked danger of falling fruit and tree collapses has proven to be lethal. Below are notable durian related fatalities, including several tragic cases from Indonesia.
● January 2012 – Purworejo, Central Java, Indonesia
A local durian trader named Prawiro Tirto died after being struck by a falling durian while inspecting his orchard in Kaligesing District, Purworejo Regency. According to witnesses, a ripe durian fell from a height of approximately 20 metres, hitting him directly on the head. He was pronounced dead on the scene.
Prawiro was a well-known figure in the area’s durian trade. His tragic death prompted local residents to begin wearing helmets while passing through durian groves, especially during the harvest season. It was also reported that there had been four previous incidents of people being hit by falling durians in the area, though none as severe as Prawiro’s case.
● March 2012 – Petak Kaja Village, Bali, Indonesia
Ni Wayan Pur, aged 80, died when a large durian tree collapsed onto her home during a windstorm. The incident took place in Petak Kaja village, where strong winds are common during the rainy season. The shallow roots of durian trees make them especially vulnerable in such conditions.
This was not an isolated case. In a similar event the same year, another family narrowly avoided injury when a durian tree crashed through their home while they were away. These incidents underline the structural risk posed by durian trees in storm-prone regions.
● November 2012 – Malaysia
A tragic case occurred when a one-month-old baby, Mohd Yusuf, was fatally struck by a 2-kilogram durian in Malaysia. The baby’s mother had stepped out to collect laundry, carrying him across the yard when the fruit fell from a tree and landed on his head.
The case garnered national attention as one of the saddest durian-related fatalities. It highlighted the unpredictable danger of walking beneath fruit-bearing trees during harvest season and sparked discussions about orchard safety measures for residents.
● April 2019 – Banyuwangi, East Java, Indonesia
Sugito (65), a durian farmer from Sumberbulu Village, Songgon Subdistrict, died after a durian fell on his head while walking home from his orchard. He had just harvested durians and was returning home when he passed through his nephew’s garden and was fatally struck.
Despite being rushed to a local health facility, Sugito could not be saved. The incident emphasised the dangers faced even by experienced farmers who work closely with durian trees. Reports stated that the accident occurred only 250 metres from his home.
● March 2025 – Medan, North Sumatra, Indonesia
In a more recent incident, six residents in Marbau Village, North Labuhanbatu Regency, were caught under a collapsing durian tree while taking shelter during a storm on 16 March 2025. The tree fell onto a hut where the group had gathered for cover.
Two individuals, Hamka Syaputra and Rahmat, died in the incident, while four others suffered serious injuries. This case brought renewed attention to the risk of durian trees falling during extreme weather events, especially in northern Sumatra where such storms are frequent.
