Bali Hosts Major Earthquake-Tsunami Response Drill as TNI Tests Disaster Readiness
Indonesia's military (TNI) conducted a large-scale earthquake and tsunami response exercise in Bali in 2026, centered around Denpasar's Merta Sari beach area. The drill tested coordination among the military, police, disaster agencies, and health workers, given Bali's high volume of tourist and resident mobility. This was a scheduled training exercise, not an actual disaster, so there is currently no disruption to daily life or travel.
Indonesia's National Armed Forces (TNI), through its Kogabwilhan II regional joint defense command, selected Bali as the testing ground for a large-scale Operational Readiness Exercise (LKO) simulating an earthquake and tsunami disaster. On the sixth day of the exercise, a field drill was held Saturday at the Merta Sari beach area in Denpasar, led by Kogasgabpad Kodam IX/Udayana.
The exercise tested not only frontline personnel capability but also command-and-control procedures, interoperability between units, and coordination between the military and partner agencies. Kogabwilhan II commander Air Marshal Muzafar said Indonesia faces high risk from natural disasters, particularly earthquakes and tsunamis, making continuous testing and strengthening of readiness across all agencies essential.
Bali was chosen for the drill due to its geographic vulnerability to earthquakes and tsunamis stemming from tectonic activity in central Indonesia, as well as its status as an international tourism destination with high population and visitor mobility. This gives disaster response in Bali an added dimension: protecting not only local residents but also managing tourist movement during an emergency.
The exercise involved TNI's Army, Navy, and Air Force units alongside Indonesia's national and regional disaster agencies (BNPB/BPBD), the search-and-rescue agency (Basarnas), police, local government, and health workers. As part of the drill, 1,200 food aid packages were distributed to nearby residents, and free medical treatment was offered at Puputan Niti Mandala Renon field, which was simulated as an evacuation shelter in the exercise scenario.
Importantly, this report describes a planned military training exercise, not an actual earthquake or tsunami event.
Things to Consider
This report describes a disaster preparedness drill, not an actual earthquake or tsunami, so no evacuation or travel restriction is currently needed. However, since Bali is located in a seismically active region, travelers and residents should check evacuation routes and shelter locations at their accommodations, and familiarize themselves with routes from coastal areas to higher ground in case a tsunami warning is issued. Keeping copies of important documents like passports and noting emergency contact numbers is also a practical precaution.
Source: ANTARA News Bali