Longboat carrying 14 people sinks in Tanimbar Islands, one dead

A longboat carrying 14 people in the Tanimbar Islands Regency, Maluku, reportedly sank after a sudden change to severe weather, resulting in one fatality. The deceased victim was identified as Thomas Kadung (42), whilst the other 13 passengers survived the ordeal, according to the Coordinator of the Saumlaki Search and Rescue Post, Wahyunan Samal, in a statement received in Ambon on Wednesday. According to a report from the Tanimbar Islands Regional Disaster Management Agency (BPBD) to the Saumlaki SAR Post on 8 July at approximately 11.10 WIT, the longboat had departed from Sera Island on Tuesday (7/7) at around 08.30 WIT. The journey was initially normal and proceeding smoothly without hindrance. However, the weather suddenly turned severe midway, and the longboat eventually sank. Using a Rigid Inflatable Boat, at around 11.30 WIT, the Rescue Team from the Saumlaki SAR Post along with SAR Potential were deployed to the incident location at coordinates 7°36’51.43”S - 130°59’3.38”E, a distance of approximately 42.3 nautical miles, with a heading of 321° northwest from Saumlaki Port. At around 13.20 WIT, the Joint SAR Team arrived at the accident site and began searching for the victim. Despite the poor sea weather, the search effort did not cease and continued with attention to safety. The search effort only yielded results at around 17.49 WIT, when the victim was found by the Joint SAR Team deceased in the waters near the mangrove forest of Tatun Angbabal Hamlet, Selu Island. The victim’s position when found by the team was approximately 4.6 nautical miles from the initial incident location, and the victim was subsequently evacuated by the Joint SAR Team to Sera Island to be handed over to the family at 19.20 WIT.