KM Intim Teratai Sinks off Makian Island in North Maluku, All 144 Passengers Safe

The KM Intim Teratai, which sank after striking a reef in the waters off Makian Island, South Halmahera Regency, North Maluku Province, was carrying 144 passengers.

“The vessel was carrying 144 passengers; officers recorded 144 persons on the manifest,” said Ternate Search and Rescue Agency (Basarnas) chief Iwan Ramdani when contacted on Tuesday (17 February).

Iwan confirmed that all passengers survived and were evacuated using the KM Intim Teratai’s lifeboats to the beach at Sabale Village.

The fast vessel had departed from Babang Port bound for Bastiong Port in Ternate on Monday (16 February) at approximately 21:00 Eastern Indonesian Time (WIT).

However, mid-voyage the vessel was battered by waves, running aground and listing on Tuesday (17 February) at approximately 04:45 WIT.

The incident occurred at coordinates 0°20’58.00”N / 127°21’24.00”E, approximately 24.66 nautical miles at a bearing of 174.48° from the city of Ternate.

As the vessel listed, all passengers panicked and attempted to save themselves. They scrambled to find life jackets and jumped into the sea to swim to shore.

Ternate Search and Rescue Office chief Iwan Ramdani explained that upon receiving the report, the Ternate Rescue Team together with other agencies involved immediately prepared a team and proceeded to the incident location aboard the KN SAR Pandudewanata to carry out the evacuation of those affected.