JAKARTA, Indonesia: Indonesian rescuers have initiated a search operation to locate at least 22 missing fishermen in central Indonesia, following a tragic incident over the weekend.
The boat carrying at least 35 crew members capsized on Saturday in waters off the remote Selayar Islands in South Sulawesi Province. Two individuals lost their lives in the incident, while 11 were discovered stranded on separate atolls after drifting at sea for three days.
The capsizing occurred amidst adverse weather conditions, typical during Indonesia’s rainy season, as confirmed by the local search and rescue agency. According to Andi Caco Ramas, a local government official, the survivors were carried away by the current to the waters near Selayar after their boat overturned.
The fishing boat embarked on its journey from a North Jakarta port on March 3, destined for Lombok Island in West Nusa Tenggara Province. Prompt response efforts, involving the navy and rescue volunteers, have been deployed to aid in the search and rescue mission.
A joint team, comprising various agencies, has set out on the operation, with an estimated five-hour journey to reach the location. The survivors were initially spotted by local fishermen, who promptly alerted the authorities, facilitating the rescue efforts.
Discrepancies in the reported number of passengers aboard the ill-fated boat have been noted, with Ramas indicating 35 individuals on board, while the rescue agency reports a higher toll of 37, with 24 individuals missing. Such discrepancies are common in Indonesia, where actual passenger counts often differ from official manifests.
Marine accidents remain a prevalent issue in Indonesia, attributed to lax safety standards prevalent across the vast archipelago. This incident serves as a grim reminder of the inherent risks faced by fishermen and maritime workers operating in Indonesian waters, highlighting the urgent need for enhanced safety measures and vigilant enforcement to prevent similar tragedies in the future.
