Combined team searches for victims of sunken fishing vessel at Biawak Island, Indramayu
Indramayu – A combined team from the police, Indonesian Navy (TNI AL), and related agencies conducted search and rescue (SAR) operations for victims of a maritime accident involving a fishing vessel that sank in the waters around Rakit/Biawak Island, Indramayu Regency, West Java.
“We, together with the combined team, continue searching for four victims reported missing at the incident location,” said AKP Asep Suryana, Head of the Water and Air Police Unit (Polairud) of Indramayu Police Station, in a statement in Indramayu on Monday.
He explained that the incident occurred on Saturday (28 February) around 22.00 WIB, allegedly caused by the fishing boat being struck by a passing barge in those waters.
His team recorded the vessel involved in the accident as KM Almujib, measuring 6 gross tons (GT) with eight crew members (ABK), owned by Warjaya, a resident of Juntinyuat District, Indramayu.
According to him, the vessel departed from Karangsong on Saturday around 13.00 WIB heading towards Rakit/Biawak Island waters to fish, then cast nets and rested on the vessel.
“Around 22.00 WIB, one of the crew members saw a barge approaching and immediately struck the left hull of KM Almujib, which at that time had its engine off,” he said.
As a result of the collision, he said, the vessel was dragged for approximately 10 minutes until water entered the hull, causing the boat to capsize and sink.
He recounted that the crew members attempted to save themselves by holding onto jerry cans and cork available on the ship, but some were swept away by the current.
“Two victims named Jupri and Wandi were found deceased and have been evacuated ashore to be handed over to their families,” he said.
Meanwhile, he continued, two survivors named Carudin and Alfianto Agus Sulistiyo were found and rescued by another fishing vessel in the early hours of Sunday (1 March).
“We have also secured KM Almujib, which was found in an overturned condition as evidence, and requested statements from witnesses for further investigation proceedings,” he said.
His office confirmed that the SAR operation will continue, with sea sweeps and inter-agency coordination until all victims are found.