Farmer Found Dead in Ditch in Selemadeg, Tabanan

Singasana — I Ketut Muncul, a 69-year-old farmer, was found dead in a ditch on his farmland in Banjar Dinas Apit Yeh, Manikyang Village, Selemadeg, Tabanan, on Wednesday afternoon, Oct. 21, 2026. Police suspected he slipped and fell while collecting dry coconut fronds.

The body was found at about 3 p.m. after Mr. Muncul’s family asked people to help search for him. Witnesses said he had last been seen leaving for his farmland on Monday morning, Oct. 19, 2026.

Officers from Selemadeg Police, health workers from Selemadeg Community Health Center and the Tabanan Disaster Management Agency helped handle and evacuate the body. The ditch was reportedly filled with water, and the body was found face down.

Police said an examination estimated that Mr. Muncul had died about two days before he was found. No signs of violence were found. His family accepted the death as an accident and declined an autopsy. The body was taken to Prof. Ngoerah Central General Hospital at the family’s request while they awaited the funeral.

The death underscores the risks of isolated farm work

For residents and visitors in Bali, the report is a reminder that agricultural land can include steep, wet or concealed drainage channels, particularly away from roads and houses. In this case, the ditch was on the victim’s own farmland behind his home, and the search began only after relatives sought help.

The reported circumstances remain those described by Tabanan police through their public-information officer: Mr. Muncul was believed to have slipped while carrying out his routine search for dry coconut fronds. The report did not describe a criminal investigation or identify any indication of foul play.

Sources

• Bali Post — regional news organisation
• detikBali — regional news organisation