11 Foreign Tourists Found Safe in Tomini Bay, Search Continues for Missing Skipper
Eleven foreign tourists and one crew member who were reported missing in the waters of Teluk Tomini, Tojo Una-Una Regency, Central Sulawesi, have been found safe. However, a joint search and rescue team is still conducting an intensive search for the boat’s skipper, who has yet to be located.
The Palu Search and Rescue Office (Basarnas) confirmed that the discovery of the tourist group stemmed from information received from the Gorontalo SAR Office on Saturday.
‘Based on information from the Head of the Gorontalo SAR Office, the victims have been found. However, the skipper, named Ferdiansyah, has reportedly not been found yet,’ said Palu SAR Operations Head Rusmadi.
To expedite the search for the skipper, Basarnas has deployed the specialised vessel KN SAR Bhisma. The ship, carrying 13 personnel and complete safety equipment, departed from Banggai Regency at 09:40 Central Indonesia Time. It is scheduled to arrive at the search location around 19:40 local time to coordinate with the rescue team already in the field.
The 11 foreign tourists and the surviving crew member have been evacuated to a resort in Tojo Una-Una. Basarnas is currently coordinating intensively with the resort management regarding the next steps for evacuation.
‘We are still waiting for information on whether the victims will be evacuated to Ampana or Wakai. We are also coordinating with the resort regarding the victims’ willingness to be transferred or to remain at their current location,’ Rusmadi added.
The incident began when the motorboat departed from Sanctum Una-Una Dive Resort on Friday at 07:30 WITA. The vessel was scheduled to arrive at Marisa Port in Gorontalo Province by 11:00 WITA. Concerns were raised after the boat failed to dock by 15:00 WITA, prompting a tour guide to report the incident to the Gorontalo SAR Office for emergency assistance.
According to the manifest, there were 13 people on board the motorboat. The joint SAR team continues to sweep the waters of Tomini Bay in search of Ferdiansyah.