DVI Team Identifies Two Victims of KM Nurul Salsa Sinking
The joint Disaster Victim Identification (DVI) team has successfully identified two bodies recovered from the sinking of the KM Nurul Salsa. The victims were previously evacuated by the Joint SAR Team to the South Sulawesi Police’s Medical and Health Division (Biddokes) at Bhayangkara Hospital in Makassar, South Sulawesi.
The Head of Biddokes for the South Sulawesi Police, Commissioner Muhammad Haris, stated that the identities of both victims were confirmed through matching antemortem and postmortem data. The first body, with bag number PM 62 B01 Selayar, was identified as Hasriati (44), a resident of Garassi Hamlet, East Pasimasunggu Village, Selayar Islands Regency. “The victim’s identity was confirmed through dental records, medical data, and the property she was wearing,” said Commissioner Haris in Makassar on Thursday (23/7/2026).
The second body, with bag number PM 62 B02 Selayar, was identified as Bau Intang (50), a resident of Putabangun, Bontoharu, Selayar Islands Regency. Her identity was confirmed through fingerprints and medical data.
To date, the DVI team from the South Sulawesi Police Biddokes has received data reports for 16 victims, out of a total of 17 people reported missing since the KM Nurul Salsa sank in the waters west of Polassi Island on Wednesday, 17 June 2026.
The Head of Public Relations for the South Sulawesi Police, Commissioner Didik Supranoto, presented the latest data on the total number of victims from the ill-fated vessel. Of the 76 people on board, 58 survived, four have died (including the two recently identified), and 14 others are still being searched for.
Didik added that the search team today found another male body in the waters off Matalaang Island, a location between Makassar and West Nusa Tenggara (NTB). However, this body has not yet been identified.
Regarding the cause of the accident, the police are investigating allegations of negligence and overloading that forced the ship to sail. To date, investigators have examined 23 witnesses. “The witnesses examined include the captain, crew members, and the harbour master’s office. The number of witnesses has increased from 21 to 23,” Didik explained.
The police are committed to continuing to provide the latest information, both regarding the progress of the legal process and the identification results of bodies found by the joint team.