Four Missing After Cargo Ship Collides with Fishing Vessel in Bintan Waters

The Tanjungpinang Search and Rescue (SAR) Office has reported that four people are missing following a collision between a wooden fishing boat and a cargo ship in the waters off Pengikik Island, Bintan Regency, Riau Islands Province. The incident involved the wooden vessel KM Putra Buluh and a cargo ship sailing towards Kalimantan. The information was received by the Tanjungpinang SAR Com Centre from the Riau Islands branch of the Indonesian Fishermen’s Association (HNSI).

According to the chronology provided, KM Putra Buluh departed from Tanjung Pandan, Belitung Island, on Monday, 3 August 2026, at approximately 07:00 WIB with five people on board, heading to the waters around Pengikik Island for fishing activities. The vessel had been at the location from Tuesday, 4 August, until Friday, 7 August 2026. On Saturday, 8 August, at around 02:00 WIB, KM Putra Buluh was reportedly struck by a cargo ship. The collision caused severe damage to the wooden vessel, splitting it into two parts.

One of the victims, identified as 30-year-old Khairul, managed to save himself by using a fibre cover as a flotation aid. He was later found and evacuated by KM Lima Saudara Kandung. As of Monday, 10 August, four other individuals remain missing and are the subject of an ongoing search. They have been identified as Samsir Arwan (27), Andi Syamsu (53), Muhammad Irfan (28), and Agustono (28).

The Tanjungpinang SAR Office has coordinated with several relevant parties, including the Tanjungpinang SROP, the Tanjungpinang Class II Port Authority Office (KSOP), the Riau Islands HNSI, the Pangkalpinang SAR Office, and the vessel’s owner. Coordination has also been established with the Pontianak SAR Office regarding the potential movement and support of State Vessel (KN) SAR assets to assist in the search operation for the missing victims.