DNA Identification for Enggano-Arupadhatu 1 Deceased Continues
Pandeglang, Banten (ANTARA) - The Banten Regional Police have confirmed the continuation of the DNA matching process between antemortem samples from the families of the KM Arupadhatu 1 speedboat group and the unidentified body found on Enggano Island, Bengkulu, though the process is expected to take approximately two weeks.
“Antemortem data and DNA samples from the families from our post in Banten have been submitted to the Bengkulu Regional Police for comparison. The identification process is currently ongoing and generally takes about two weeks,” said the Head of Public Relations for Bando Banten Regional Police, Kombes Pol Maruli A Hutapea, during a press conference at the Joint SAR Main Post, Marina Carita Pier, Pandeglang Regency, on Thursday evening.
Maruli explained that the deceased, a male estimated to be 50 years old with a height of approximately 163 cm, was found wearing surfing shorts in the Enggano Island area. Because no local residents in Enggano reported any missing persons at the time of discovery, local authorities had proceeded to bury the body that same night.
However, following cross-regional coordination between the Banten and Bengkulu Regional Police, the grave was exhumed to allow the body to be evacuated to the Bhayangkara Hospital in Bengkulu for autopsy and post-mortem identification.
Of the total eight passengers on KM Arupadhatu 1—consisting of five journalists, two crew members, and one guide—six are recorded as residents of Banten Province. However, he did not provide specific details regarding their identities.
“What the families need most today is support and information, as they and all of us still hold onto the hope that our colleagues and brothers can still be found. Therefore, we will maintain continuous communication to coordinate with the families,” he said.
The alignment of antemortem DNA data from the victims’ families with the post-mortem samples from the deceased is seen as the primary hope for all parties to confirm whether the body is one of the eight passengers from the ship. This follows a deadlock in the SAR team’s efforts, which led to the cessation of the joint operation on the 10th day without positive results.
During that period, 523 joint SAR personnel conducted searches across the waters surrounding Mount Anak Krakatau (covering Banten, Lampung, and Bengkulu provinces) since the ship and its passengers were reported missing on Monday (7/9).
The eight individuals being searched for include five journalists—M Bagus Khoirunnas (ANTARA News Banten Bureau), Ari Basuki (Merdeka.com), Yudhistiro (iNews), Firdaus (Anadolu), and Donal (freelance journalist)—along with three others: Warta (ship captain), Surakman (crew member), and Heriyanto (guide).
As for the unidentified male body, it was specifically reported to have been found on the coast of Sawang Bengkok, Khayapu Village, Enggano Island, North Bengkulu Regency, on Saturday (12/9) by the Bengkulu SAR Office and local residents.