Evacuation of KMP Mutiara Sentosa 2 Victims to Continue for One Week

Head of Basarnas M Syafii has confirmed that the search and rescue operation for victims of the KMP Mutiara Sentosa 2 fire will be conducted over a period of seven days. A decision on whether to extend the operation will be made jointly with all relevant parties after this period concludes. “If it is confirmed from the complaint post, the Port Authority (KSOP), or the ship owner that there are still missing victims, that will be the basis for us to continue the operation,” Syafii said on Monday. The swift rescue action was attributed to an emergency broadcast from the Basarnas Command Centre, which prompted seven civilian vessels in the vicinity to assist with the evacuation despite adverse weather conditions. Syafii stated that Basarnas subsequently deployed the KN SAR Permadi from Surabaya to comb the area in a follow-up search operation. The search pattern was determined using a specialised application that calculates wind direction, wave height, and current speed. Regarding the physical condition of the vessel, Syafii admitted that Basarnas could not yet confirm whether the ship had completely sunk. During the evacuation, the vessel’s structure was still visible, but the rescue team was unable to enter the hull area due to the thick smoke and extreme temperatures. In accordance with safety procedures, an internal inspection of the ship can only be carried out once the fire is 100 per cent extinguished. When the KN SAR Permadi returned to the coordinates after transporting victims to Sumenep, the wreckage was no longer visible on the surface and is suspected to have been carried away by the current.