Jakarta. Jakarta police are investigating the death of Bambang Setiawan, 60, a street vendor who was found unconscious during violent unrest in Pejompongan, Central Jakarta, on Thursday night, as authorities seek to establish the circumstances surrounding his death.

Bambang is so far the sole reported fatality linked to Thursday’s protests, which began as a demonstration near Indonesia’s parliament complex in Senayan before escalating into clashes between police and protesters.

Bambang was found unconscious in the area while clashes and disorder were still taking place. Police said officers initially had to assess whether it was safe to enter the area before evacuating him.

Jakarta Metropolitan Police spokesman Budi Hermanto said police received information from residents that unrest was still occurring in the area.

“Police had to assess whether the evacuation was safe for officers,” Budi said in Jakarta on Friday.

Once the situation was considered safe enough, personnel from the police medical unit evacuated Bambang to Mintohardjo Hospital for treatment. He later died despite receiving medical care.

His body was later taken to the Police Hospital in Kramat Jati, East Jakarta, at around 11:30 p.m. Thursday or midnight for identification and a post-mortem examination.

Police requested an autopsy to determine the precise cause of death, but Bambang’s family refused.

Budi said he met with Bambang’s son on Friday morning and was informed that the family did not agree to an autopsy. The family has also signed a written statement confirming its refusal.

“We continue to respect the family’s decision and their grief,” Budi said.

Investigators have not yet sought detailed statements from Bambang’s family, citing their emotional condition following his death.

Police have not identified or named any specific suspect in connection with Bambang’s death, saying investigators are still collecting evidence and have yet to obtain full information from the family.

Budi expressed condolences to Bambang’s family and said the incident highlighted the need to protect not only protesters but also other members of the public caught up in unrest.

“This incident is a lesson for all of us that creating a safe space is not only about protecting those expressing their aspirations. Other members of the public must also be protected, including their dignity, lives and safety,” he said.

Bambang had been working as a mirror vendor in the Pejompongan area before he was found unconscious.

His wife, Sudarsi, 56, said she accompanied him while he worked on Thursday until around 4:30 p.m. The couple normally closed their business at about 6 p.m., but Sudarsi became concerned after seeing large crowds gathering nearby.

She urged Bambang to close the business earlier than usual.

“We normally close at 6 p.m., but I saw that there were already many people in the area, so I told him, ‘There are already a lot of people. Let’s close,’” Sudarsi told reporters on Friday.

The unrest in Pejompongan followed a large demonstration near Indonesia’s parliament complex in Senayan on Thursday. The protest later escalated into clashes between police and groups of protesters, with public facilities damaged and several fires reported in the area.

Police said they are continuing to investigate the circumstances surrounding Bambang’s death while respecting his family’s decision and allowing them time to grieve.

Jakarta police have arrested more than 300 people and named 48 as suspects in connection with violence and vandalism during the protest.

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