11 Tourists on Missing Speedboat in Tomini Bay Mostly Dutch Nationals

A joint SAR team is continuing to search for a speedboat carrying 13 passengers that lost contact in the waters of Tomini Bay, Tojo Unauna Regency, Central Sulawesi, on Saturday (25/7).

Head of Basarnas Gorontalo, Heriyanto, stated that the 13 passengers comprised two crew members and 11 tourists who are foreign nationals. “The crew members are skipper Ferdiansyah, 29, and crewman Arif, 27,” he explained when contacted from Palu. “The 11 foreign nationals were tourists holidaying in the Togean Islands,” he revealed.

Dozens of joint personnel from KPP Gorontalo, Marisa SAR Post, Polairud, Pohuwato Police, Lanal, and resort staff are reinforcing the operation. The team is facilitating the search using thermal drones, diving equipment, and special communication systems.

“Although the weather is clear, sea waves reaching 1.25–2.5 metres and strong winds of 10–20 knots are hampering the search efforts,” Heriyanto clarified. To date, no signs of the vessel or victims have emerged, and the team continues to conduct sweeps.