KM Nurul Salsa Sinking: Police Probe Overloading as Death Toll Rises, Manifest Listed 45 but 76 Were Aboard

Police have examined 21 witnesses in connection with the alleged negligence leading to the sinking of the KM Nurul Salsa, which occurred on Wednesday in the waters off Selayar, Selayar Islands Regency, South Sulawesi. The head of public relations for the South Sulawesi Regional Police, Senior Commissioner Didik Supranoto, stated that those questioned include the captain, crew members, the shipping agent, and the harbour master. The investigation is ongoing, and no suspects have yet been named. Authorities are considering charges under Article 474(2) of the Criminal Code for negligence causing death, Article 551(A) for document forgery, and Article 20 concerning participation in a criminal act. According to the manifest, the vessel was carrying 45 passengers, but subsequent identification and reports revealed there were 76 people on board, indicating a case of overloading and data manipulation. The police noted that the vessel’s seaworthiness is a matter for the harbour master, not the police, and further findings will be disclosed later. The maximum penalty under Article 474 is five years’ imprisonment, while document forgery under Article 551(A) carries a maximum sentence of eight years.