DVI: Five KMP Mutiara Sentosa victims died from drowning, not burns
None of the victims died from burns. Most suffered breathing difficulties due to smoke, then jumped into the sea and drowned, or grew weak after being in the water.
Surabaya (ANTARA) — The Disaster Victim Identification (DVI) team of the East Java Regional Police (Polda Jatim) has identified five victims who died in the KMP Mutiara Sentosa II accident in the waters north of Sumenep, Madura, and confirmed that none of the victims died from burns.
“None died from burns. Most of the victims experienced breathing difficulties due to smoke, then jumped into the sea and drowned, or grew weak after being in the water,” said the Head of the Medical and Health Division (Kabiddokkes) of Polda Jatim, Police Grand Commissioner (Kombespol) Wahono Edhi P., in Surabaya on Monday.
He explained that the identification was carried out on five body bags received by Bhayangkara Hospital in Surabaya from Sunday (2/8) until Monday. All the victims were successfully identified through primary data in the form of fingerprints, as well as secondary data such as dental records, medical records, visual examination, and personal belongings.
Wahono said the first victim was Sri Indratmo Wijaya (47), male, a resident of Dukuh Plungguh, Mulyoagung, Pucakwangi, Pati Regency, Central Java. The victim was identified through fingerprints, dental data, medical records, and personal belongings.
The third victim was Sari Sukoco (39), male, a resident of Jalan Kawi, Kauman Village, Tulungagung Regency, East Java. The victim was identified through fingerprints, dental data, medical records, visual examination, and personal belongings.
The fourth victim was Rino Eka Putra (48), male, a resident of Kampung Dalam Number 84, Jorong Tengah, Koto Sembilan, Agam Regency, West Sumatra. Identification was carried out through fingerprints, medical data, and visual examination.
The fifth victim was Yedi Hendrawan (63), male, a resident of Teruwring, Selat Dalam, Kapuas Regency, Central Kalimantan. The victim was identified through fingerprints, dental data, medical records, and visual examination.
He added that some other victims jumped into the sea alive, but were presumably unable to swim or keep themselves afloat, and thus became exhausted in the water. That condition may have been worsened by the large amount of seawater swallowed.
“So on average, the victims died from drowning or exhaustion after being in the sea, not from being burned,” he said.
Polda Jatim has also opened an information service for families who lost relatives in the KMP Mutiara Sentosa II accident, via the DVI team hotline on 085190447911.