Five Passengers from Sunken KM Nurul Salsa Found Alive Clinging to Fish Aggregating Device
Makassar (ANTARA) - Basarnas Makassar stated that five passengers from the motor vessel (KM) Nurul Salsa, which sank in the waters off Selayar, were found alive near Mattalang Island, Selayar Regency, South Sulawesi.
The five survivors were discovered by the fishing vessel KMN Sinar Mattoangin 04.
“We received news that five victims were found alive by KMN Sinar Matoanging 04. The KN SAR Kamajaya has moved towards the location to intercept and evacuate the victims so they can immediately receive medical treatment and further registration,” said Head of the Basarnas Makassar Office, Muhammad Arif Anwar, in a statement on Saturday.
The five surviving passengers were on the list of 25 passengers reported missing when the ill-fated vessel sank.
The five passengers comprised four women named Sitti Amang (55), Asseng (23), Diska (7) and Sri Ardita (17), and one man, Andi Samad (62).
Arif explained that the victims were found floating at sea, surviving by holding on to a rompong (fish house) belonging to fishermen.
The report of the survivors was delivered by the Chairman of the Indonesian Fishermen’s Association (HNSI), Iwan Darmawan Aras, who is also a member of the House of Representatives (DPR RI).
Iwan explained that the victims’ ability to survive by clinging to the fishermen’s rompong was a key factor until they were spotted by a vessel passing near the location.
“This discovery is an encouragement for all elements of the joint SAR operation that are continuing to search for the other victims. We hope there are still other victims who can be found alive,” he added.
Basarnas Makassar assured that the evacuation process is being carried out according to procedure. After being evacuated, the victims will undergo health checks before being reunited with their families.
The search operation for the victims of KM Nurul Salsa continues, deploying all available joint SAR assets through sea sweeps and monitoring of areas estimated to be along the drift path of the victims based on current and weather analysis.
On the fourth day of the operation, of the 78 people aboard KM Nurul Salsa, 52 have been found alive, one person was found dead, while 25 others remain missing.
Following the discovery of the five survivors, 20 passengers are still being sought.
Head of Operations and Alert Section at Basarnas Makassar, Andi Sultan, added that on the fourth day of the SAR operation, Basarnas received additional fleet and personnel support from the Basarnas Kendari Office and the Basarnas Maumere Office.
The additional forces include KN SAR Pacitan from Basarnas Kendari with 28 people on board (POB), and KN SAR Puntadewa from Basarnas Maumere carrying 15 personnel (POB). In addition, an Indonesian Navy (TNI AL) vessel has been deployed to optimise the search.
The fourth-day SAR operation involved joint elements comprising Basarnas, the Navy, the Air Force, BPBD, maritime police, harbourmasters, the Selayar SAR post, fishing vessels, and various related agencies.
Previously, KM Nurul Salsa was known to have departed from Jampea Island for Benteng Selayar Port on Wednesday (15 July) at around 05.00 Central Indonesia Time, carrying 78 passengers.
The vessel sank after suffering engine trouble mid-journey at a position west of Polassi Island, or about 43 nautical miles from Benteng Selayar Port.