Jakarta, Indonesia Sentinel — At least two inmates have died and more than a dozen others remain hospitalized after reportedly consuming a batch of toxic adulterated alcohol inside a prison in West Sumatra.
The incident occurred on Wednesday, April 30, 2025, at the Class IIA Correctional Facility in Bukittinggi. Officials suspect the alcohol was illicitly brewed using 70% ethanol originally intended for use in a prison vocational program to make perfume.
The first victim, died approximately two hours after being transferred from the prison to Bukittinggi General Hospital. Doctors attributed the death to acute alcohol poisoning. The second inmate, succumbed to his injuries Thursday morning at Achmad Mochtar Hospital (RSAM).
“The patient suffered from alcohol intoxication with elevated potassium and carbon dioxide levels, leading to respiratory failure,” said RSAM hospital director Busril in a statement on Friday, May 2.
Busril added that his facility initially received 22 inmates. Two were in critical condition and required ventilators in the intensive care unit. As of Friday, 10 had been discharged, while 11 remain under observation with three of them critically ill, and one deceased.
The West Sumatra Regional Office of the Ministry of Law and Human Rights has launched a joint investigation with the Bukittinggi Police Department.
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Marselina Budiningsih, the regional head, confirmed that the alcohol used in the incident was originally part of a rehabilitation program and may have been stolen from storage.
“Preliminary findings suggest the ethanol was taken and mixed with packaged beverages and ice,” she said on Thursday. “It was allegedly first intended for cleaning tattoos, but was instead consumed recreationally. We are looking into the possibility of staff negligence.”
Bukittinggi Police Chief Kombes Yessi Kurniati said investigators have seized containers believed to have held the tainted mixture and are questioning multiple inmates.
“Some individuals are still unable to provide statements due to their condition,” Kurniati noted.
West Sumatra Police Chief Inspector General Gatot Tri Suryanta confirmed he has directed local police to conduct a thorough investigation. “This case will take time to fully unravel,” he said.
Incidents involving adulterated alcohol are not uncommon in Indonesia, where access to legal alcohol is limited and expensive, prompting some to resort to dangerous homemade alternatives. However, such incidents occurring inside correctional facilities raise serious concerns about oversight and contraband control.
