Body of Cisadane duck hunter found

TANGERANG (JP): Local residents living along Cisadane River fished out the dead body of 19-year-old Rocky, alias Kiki, who drowned during a traditional Chinese duck catching festival on Tuesday.

Relatives and residents said on Thursday that the victim's body was dragged out from the bottom of the river during the wee hours of Wednesday by using a hook-shaped tool fastened to the end of a rope.

"My boy just graduated from school. This sad tragedy really confuses me," his father, Kim On, 45, said.

The search for Kiki's body also involved several shamans.

Witnesses said the annual festival, called Pek Cun by the local Chinese community, is held to give thanks to God. Tuesday's event attracted hundreds of people, including some 120 who sailed four boats, of which two were decorated like dragons.

During the first day of the event, which was initially scheduled for three days, organizers released 300 ducks into the Cisadane River which were to be caught by participants.

Dodi, a witness, said he saw Kiki jump into the river from the riverside and swim out to the middle.

"Seconds later, I could only see his hands," Dodi said.

The incident alerted spectators, who screamed and cried for help to the participants to help the drowning man.

"But no one came to help him," he said, adding that the body was then dragged under by the river's strong current.

Until Thursday, none of the organizers, including chairman Gunawan, could be reached for comment.

Eng Djin, 54, a senior staffer at Boon Tek Bio temple, said the Pek Cun water festival had been held at the Cisadane River since he was seven years old.

"But the tradition was canceled by the government for several years on the grounds that it was a Chinese tradition," he said.

It was permitted again five years ago after the organizers and participants agreed to call the event the water party, and not Pek Cun.

The festival was officially registered by the local tourism office as one of the annual events for the Tangerang tourism calendar.

"Although this time the event has cost a life, we hope Pek Cun will be staged again next year with organizers making significant changes so that there won't be another accident," Eng Djin said.

After the tragedy on the first day, the organizers -- obeying a police order -- abruptly halted the event, which was to include a parade of Chinese barongsai dancers.

Kiki's body was buried on Wednesday. (41/bsr)