Basarnas Deploys Additional Fleet to Search for 18 Missing KM Nurul Salsa Victims

The joint SAR team continues to intensify the search operation for the missing victims of KM Nurul Salsa. On the sixth day, Monday (20/7), Basarnas deployed additional fleet, including a Rescue Boat (RB) 220 from the Mataram SAR Office, along with 17 personnel to strengthen the operation in the waters west of Polassi Island, Selayar Islands Regency, South Sulawesi.

Head of the Makassar Basarnas Office, Muhammad Arif Anwar, stated that the additional fleet was deployed following the discovery of several items believed to belong to the passengers. KRI Marlin-877 found a life jacket bearing the inscription ‘KM Nurul Salsa’ drifting in the waters north of Sanipa Island. Additionally, fishermen in Pangkep waters reported finding a styrofoam raft with a bag containing identification on top of it.

‘This addition is part of a strategic effort to optimise the search operation so that the coverage area is wider and the chances of finding the missing victims can be maximised,’ Arif explained. The search area on the sixth day was expanded to 1,980 square nautical miles, divided into five sectors and covered by six Search and Rescue Units (SRU). The operation also involved aerial monitoring using a Boeing B737-200 from the Indonesian Air Force.

Based on the latest data, out of the total passengers, 59 people have been rescued alive, one person was found dead, and 18 others are still missing. The joint SAR team continues to coordinate across agencies and evaluate the search results daily to maximise the chances of finding all remaining victims.