10 fishermen reported missing off Central Java

10 fishermen reported missing off Central Java

Nana Rukmana, Brebes

At least 10 fishermen were reported missing on Wednesday by their
families from Sawojajar village, Wanasrai district, Brebes
regency, Central Java, after they went to sea two months ago but
failed to return home.

"The families reported that their members had been at sea for
almost two months but had not heard from them," Sawojajar village
head Maksudi Maksus said.

He said he accompanied the families to report the matter to
police and the local office of the Indonesian Fishermens
Association (HNSI), which both pledged to search for the missing
people.

Maksudi said fishermen in his village normally went to sea for
a week to 10 days at the longest. "Only a few fishermen sail for
up to two weeks. Those who are away for more than a month have
usually had an accident or have been stranded on another island,"
he added.

The 10 missing villagers went fishing at the end of May on the
15 meter by four meter motorized boat, Sumber Rejeki, Maksudi
said.

He said that before leaving, they said they would return after
a week at the longest. "But until now, there has been no news
from them. Their families are currently panicking."

Those missing were identified as Watro, 45, and his son Lopi,
16, and three brothers Nurdin, 22, Darsono, 23, and Amirudin, 20.
The remaining victims were Edi Sularso, 23, Gunawan, 21,
Syarifudin, 22, Susil, 28, and Hendri Gunawan, 18.

Saronah, 39, the wife of Watro, said her husband went fishing
on May 28 along with others in waters off Blanakan village,
Ciasem district, Indramayu regency, West Java, but had not
returned yet.

Maksudi said local fishermen often operated in waters along
the western part of Java's north coast, as far as Banten
province.

"Some of them also fish in waters off the west coast of
Sumatra. We suspect that the 10 missing fishermen are there," he
added.

Separately, Tegal regental air and water police chief Adj.
Comr. Seti Riono confirmed the report on the missing people from
Sawojajar village.

He said his personnel were searching for the fishermen,
involving officers from other related agencies and the network of
fishermen operating in the Java Sea.

The search had also been widened, Seti said. "However, as of
now, we still haven't found them. We shall continue with our
search as far as waters off Kalimantan," he added.