Another Body Believed to Be from KM Nurul Salsa Found

A joint search and rescue team has recovered another body believed to be a victim of the KM Nurul Salsa sinking off Selayar, South Sulawesi, on the seventh day of the operation, Tuesday (21/7). The discovery was made after a fisherman near Pamulikang Island reported a floating body, prompting the SAR post at Benteng Port to dispatch KN SAR Kamajaya 104 and a rigid inflatable boat from KN Sar Pacitan to evacuate the remains.

Muhammad Arif Anwar, Head of the Makassar Class A Search and Rescue Office (Basarnas), stated that the body will undergo identification by the relevant authorities before its identity is officially announced. “The KN SAR Pacitan and KN SAR Kamajaya teams immediately moved to the location to conduct the evacuation. The identification process will then be carried out according to procedure at Bhayangkara Hospital Makassar. We cannot confirm the victim’s identity until that process is complete,” Arif said in a written statement.

He explained that the seventh-day search operation was carried out to its maximum extent, deploying all joint SAR elements divided into five search sectors. “We mourn this discovery. Nevertheless, all personnel remain committed to continuing the search for other victims who have not yet been found. We also appreciate the active role of the community and fishermen who continue to provide information to the team in the field,” he added.

The Makassar Basarnas Office and the Joint SAR Team intensified efforts on the seventh day by expanding the search area to 2,924 square nautical miles, divided into five search sectors and six Search and Rescue Units. The expansion was made to anticipate the movement of victims due to currents and wind over recent days. The operation involved RB Mataram 220, KN SAR Puntadewa, KN SAR Kamajaya 104, KN SAR Pacitan, KRI Marlin 877, KRI Hiu 634, as well as personnel from the Indonesian National Armed Forces, National Police, Regional Disaster Management Agency, harbourmaster, local government, fishing vessels, and various other SAR resources conducting sweeps based on Search and Rescue Maritime Prediction.

To date, out of a total of 78 people aboard KM Nurul Salsa, 59 have been found alive and one person was previously identified as deceased. The body found today is still undergoing the identification process to confirm the victim’s identity.