KLM Nurul Salsa Sinks in Selayar Waters: 1 Dead, 24 Missing

The motorised wooden ship KLM Nurul Salsa sank in the waters west of Polassi Island, Selayar Regency, on Wednesday afternoon, leaving one person dead and 24 others missing. As of Thursday, search and rescue operations were ongoing, with the total number of people on board confirmed to be 74, significantly higher than initial reports. The vessel was carrying passengers, tonnes of cargo including rice and charcoal, and four cows when it departed from Jampea Island bound for Benteng Port in Selayar. The ship reportedly suffered engine failure and was overwhelmed by water amid high waves caused by the east monsoon. A total of 41 survivors were evacuated by the KM Harapan Kita in the early hours of Thursday, while six others were rescued by local fishing boats and taken to Polassi Island. Rescue efforts have been severely hindered by rough seas, with personnel from the water police and the national search and rescue agency forced to wait for hours at Appatanah Port for a larger vessel capable of navigating the swells. Communication with passengers was lost after their mobile phones became unreachable on Wednesday night.