11 foreign tourists missing in Tomini Bay found safe

Palu (ANTARA) - The Palu Search and Rescue Agency (Basarnas) has confirmed that 11 foreign tourists and one boat crew member, previously reported missing in the waters of Tomini Bay, Tojo Una-Una Regency, Central Sulawesi, have been found safe, though the boat’s captain is still being sought.

“Based on information from the Head of the Gorontalo SAR Office, the victims have been found. However, the captain, named Ferdiansyah, has reportedly not yet been located,” said Head of the Palu SAR Operations Section, Rusmadi, in Palu on Saturday.

He stated that Basarnas Palu is still deploying the specialised vessel KN SAR Bhisma to conduct the search and join the joint SAR team to assist in the search operation. The joint team from Central Sulawesi will subsequently join the rescue team that had previously been conducting the search operation.

He said the victims have been evacuated safely and are currently at a resort in Tojo Una-Una Regency. “Currently, the victims are in Tojo Una-Una, but regarding the follow-up on whether the victims will be evacuated to Ampana or Wakai, we are still awaiting information. We are also coordinating with the resort to see if they are willing to be evacuated or transferred,” he explained.

Previously, authorities received a report that the group of more than a dozen passengers had departed from Sanctum Una-Una Dive Resort on Friday (24/7) heading for Marisa Port in Gorontalo Province. The motorboat was carrying 11 foreign tourists and two skippers, departing around 07:30 WITA and expected to arrive at the destination by 11:00 WITA. However, by 15:00 WITA, the group had not reached its destination. A tour guide then took the initiative to report the incident to the Gorontalo SAR Office to initiate a search.