Bandung, Indonesia Sentinel — A high school student in West Bandung, Indonesia, died after performing a suicide scene during a school theater performance. The student, identified as MDR (17), reportedly died from a scissor stab wound sustained while using the prop in the act.
MDR, a 12th-grade student at SMK Dharma Pertiwi in Padalarang District, West Bandung Regency, succumbed to his injuries while the school play was underway. He was rushed to the hospital but did not survive.
The incident occurred on Thursday, February 20, 2025, as part of the school’s practical exam for 12th-grade students. The annual arts performance serves as a graduation requirement, allowing students to demonstrate their theatrical skills.
A spokesperson for SMK Dharma Pertiwi, Ridwan said that MDR was deeply immersed in his role during the suicide scene, leading to a fatal injury from the sharp prop.
“In the storyline they created, there was a suicide scene. Perhaps he was too immersed in the role, which resulted in this unfortunate event,” said Ridwan on Friday, February 21, 2025, as reported by Teropong Media.
Theatre Performance
According to Ridwan, the theater performance was a practical exam assigned to all 12th-grade student, who were responsible for writing scripts, assigning roles, and preparing props independently.
During the incident, MDR was performing in a play titled “Teenage Delinquency,” portraying a pregnant woman struggling with depression who ultimately takes her own life.
He used a prop consisting of a balloon filled with red liquid to simulate blood during the scene. However, as he plunged the scissors into his stomach, he suddenly collapsed on stage.
At first, the audience believed it was part of the act, only realizing the severity of the situation when MDR remained unresponsive. “As soon as the incident occurred, we immediately took him to the nearest health center for first aid,” Ridwan explained.
Lack of Supervision
The school admitted a lapse in monitoring the props used by students during the exam. “The students were responsible for providing their own props. While we were aware of most of them, we were not informed about the presence of scissors,” Ridwan stated.
He emphasized that the school had already prohibited students from bringing sharp objects to the event and regularly conducted inspections to enforce the rule. “Unfortunately, this was beyond our control, as they did not inform us about the use of scissors,” Ridwan added.
He also clarified that MDR’s death was an accident during the theater performance, not related to rumors of a fight or stabbing.
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Police Investigation
The school has handed over the investigation to the police, who are currently looking into the circumstances surrounding the tragedy. Cimahi Police Chief AKBP Tri Suhartanto confirmed the incident and stated that authorities are conducting a thorough investigation.
“We are currently investigating the suicide scene and the props used. So far, we have taken statements from three witnesses to fully understand the sequence of events leading to the victim’s death,” Tri stated.
The tragic incident has left MDR’s family and classmates in mourning and raised awareness about the importance of supervision and student safety in schools.
(Raidi/Agung)
