Basarnas: Search for Missing Vessel Near Enggano Island Yields No Results
Bengkulu City (ANTARA) - The Bengkulu National Search and Rescue Agency (Basarnas) office has conducted searches for a fast boat and eight passengers lost in the Sunda Strait, Pandeglang, Banten Province, around the Enggano Island area in North Bengkulu Regency, with no results found.
“As of this afternoon, the search results remain nil. We will await further information to determine whether to continue the next SAR operation or cease it, as this is the third day of the additional search period following the initial seven days,” said the Head of the Bengkulu Basarnas Office, Muslikun Sodik, in Bengkulu City on Thursday.
He noted that the Bengkulu Basarnas Office, alongside the Bengkulu Naval Base (Lanal) and other agencies, is providing assistance to the SAR operation being led by the Banten SAR Office.
During the search process, the Bengkulu Basarnas Office deployed 25 personnel using various equipment, including the RB213 Bengkulu, the RBB RIB 01 Bengkulu operating in Enggano waters, and three rubber boats (LTR) deployed to sweep the coastal areas of Bengkulu and Enggano waters in North Bengkulu Regency, Bengkulu Province.
Previously, on Wednesday (16/9), Basarnas Bengkulu conducted sweeps along the coast of Enggano Island, North Bengkulu Regency, to search for the fast boat and eight passengers, which include five journalists and three crew members, who went missing in the Sunda Strait, Pandeglang, Banten Province.
Muslikun explained that the Bengkulu Basarnas team has conducted land sweeps and searches from Malakoni Pier to Banjarsari on Enggano Island, North Bengkulu Regency.
Furthermore, the team will continue the search using Basarnas RIBs, which will be transported from Bengkulu City to Enggano Island via the Pulo Tello ship.
Meanwhile, the Bengkulu Regional Police (Polda) have sent DNA samples from an unidentified body found on Enggano Island, North Bengkulu Regency, to the Indonesian National Police Medical and Health Centre (Pusdokkes Mabes Polri).
“Regarding the DNA matching, the DNA samples from the body found on Enggano Island, North Bengkulu Regency, have been sent to Pusdokkes Mabes Polri for comparison,” said the Head of Public Relations for Bengkulu Regional Police, Kombes Pol Imam Wijayanto.
The autopsy is being conducted to confirm the identity of the deceased and determine if there is any connection to the disappearance of the five journalists and three crew members who were covering activities at Anak Krakatau.
“We are still waiting to see how long the process will take; we will provide further updates once the results are available,” he added.
Based on investigations conducted by detectives, it has been determined that the deceased is not a local resident or a native of Enggano Island.