Elderly Man in Rote Ndao Missing While Harvesting Seaweed, Feared Drowned

An elderly man named Alexander Bola, 66, has been reported missing while harvesting seaweed at Mulut Seribu Beach, Daiama Village, Landu Leko District, Rote Ndao, East Nusa Tenggara, on Wednesday (19/8/2026).

“That is correct, the victim has not yet been found,” said the Head of the Kupang Class A Search and Rescue Office, Mexianus Bekabel, on Thursday (20/8/2026).

Mexianus explained that the incident began when Alexander set off for the seaweed cultivation site at Mulut Seribu Beach on Tuesday (18/8/2026) at around 08.00 Wita. However, Alexander did not return home by nightfall.

The family attempted to search independently but without success. The incident was subsequently reported to the Rote Ndao Search and Rescue Alert Unit for further handling through a SAR operation.

“The report was received at around 00.05 Wita from a resident,” Mexianus explained.

Following the report, a team of eight personnel from the Rote Ndao SAR Alert Unit Rescue Team was dispatched to the location at around 00.25 Wita. They travelled using two rescue cars equipped with supporting SAR equipment to search for Alexander.

According to Mexianus, the search involved a joint SAR team comprising the Rote Ndao Regional Disaster Management Agency, the Papela Naval Post in East Rote, and local residents. The joint SAR team is continuing efforts to locate the victim.

“As of now, the joint SAR team is still carrying out search efforts for the victim by combing the area believed to be where the victim was located,” Mexianus stated.