KM Nurul Salsa Sinking Update: 78 On Board, 25 Still Missing

Basarnas Makassar has updated the number of people aboard the KM Nurul Salsa, which sank in the waters west of Polassi Island, Selayar Islands Regency, South Sulawesi. Based on the latest verification, the number of people on the vessel has increased from 75 to 78. ‘We are continuously updating the victim data based on field verification. We cross-check information from the manifest, family reports, the local government, and evacuated victims to ensure no one is missed,’ said Head of Basarnas Makassar, Muhammad Arif Anwar, in a statement on Friday (17/7). Of the total 78 passengers and crew, 52 people have been found alive, one person has died, while 25 others remain missing as the SAR operation enters its third day. ‘From the verification results, three people who were previously unrecorded have been reported missing by their families,’ he explained. On the third day of the search operation, the joint SAR team divided the search area into two sectors. The operation involves KN SAR Kamajaya 104, a Boeing B737-200 aircraft from Sultan Hasanuddin Air Base, and KRI Marlin 877. However, the team has yet to find additional victims. Meanwhile, the KN SAR Kamajaya team spotted a lifebuoy suspected to be from KM Nurul Salsa, but it could not be evacuated due to high waves. ‘The discovery of the lifebuoy will be one of the evaluation materials to determine the next search strategy,’ he said. Nevertheless, the search operation for the 25 missing victims will continue by the joint SAR elements at the location.