Migrant Worker Boat Sinks in Rupat Waters, Three Still Missing

Search and rescue operations are under way for victims of a migrant worker boat accident that sank in the waters off Rupat Island, Dumai City, Riau. The incident occurred on Friday (14/8) at around 8.30 pm Western Indonesia Time. The boat, carrying Indonesian migrant workers on the Rupat–Malaysia route, reportedly capsized after being battered by heavy rain, strong winds and a storm near Rupat Island.

According to information received by the Pekanbaru Search and Rescue Office from the Dumai Water Police Unit, the vessel departed at around 7.00 pm Western Indonesia Time using a speedboat with two engines. When severe weather struck, the boat was involved in an accident and overturned. A number of victims were swept away and attempted to call for help.

In response to the report, the Pekanbaru Search and Rescue Office deployed the RB 218 Dumai vessel together with 11 personnel from the Dumai SAR Alert Rescue Unit to the scene. Victims who were found received assistance from passing vessels and were taken to Dumai. Based on initial information from the police, three people are still believed to be missing and remain the subject of an ongoing search.