Fishing Boat Capsizes in Waves off Merak, Killing Two

A fishing boat was struck by waves at sea off Merak, Banten. Two fishermen were found dead and one survived.

The boat had set off from Tanjung Peni, Cilegon, at around 2pm local time carrying three people. It was near Tempurung Island, Merak, when it was hit by waves.

“The boat was hit by waves and capsized while they were fishing. The victims tried to stay afloat for one hour and 30 minutes. Two victims who died were taken by a fishing boat to Mabak Beach, while one survived,” said Rizky Dwianto, head of operations and readiness at the Banten Search and Rescue Agency (Basarnas), on Monday (26 October 2026).

The survivor was first seen in the water by a passenger aboard the KMP SMS Sagita. After being alerted, the captain manoeuvred the vessel and deployed a lifebuoy to rescue the victim.

“At 3.20pm, one of the passengers on the SMS Sagita saw the victim floating near Tempurung Island. The vessel manoeuvred to check and carry out the rescue using a ring buoy,” he said.

The survivor was evacuated aboard the vessel, while the two bodies were taken by a fishing boat. The deceased were subsequently taken to Cilegon Regional General Hospital.

“The survivor was evacuated by the Sagita to Merak Port and taken to Pulomerak Community Health Centre,” he said.