Police Officer and Air Force Soldier Die Rescuing Drowning Student in Maluku

Police officer Briptu Nanda Tutupoho and Indonesian Air Force soldier Serda Rangga S died while rescuing a student who was drowning in the waters off Nirun Lear Ngursoin Beach, Tual City, Maluku. The victims perished after being swept away by currents and battered by waves.

“The victims who died in the incident were Briptu Nanda Tutupoho, a member of the Maluku Regional Police, and Serda Rangga S, an Air Force soldier from Dumatubun Air Base,” said Maluku Police Head of Public Relations Commissioner Rositah Umasugi, as reported by detikSulsel on Monday (22/6/2026).

The incident occurred at the Nirun Lear Ngursoin Beach tourist area, South Kei Kecil District, on Sunday (21/6) at 2:40 p.m. WIT. A group of junior high school students had initially been taking photographs on a cliff area separated from their teacher.

Shouts were then heard from a victim who had jumped from the cliff into the sea. Shortly afterwards, the victim was seen struggling to swim and screaming for help.

The cries drew the attention of beachgoers. At that time, Briptu Nanda Tutupoho and Serda Rangga were in the beach area.

“Without hesitation, both of them immediately jumped into the sea to provide assistance. However, the water conditions included large waves and strong currents, which caused both of them to be swept away by the current in the beach cliff area,” said Rositah.

Residents who witnessed the incident then provided aid and evacuated the drowning student, who survived. Briptu Nanda and Serda Rangga were eventually rescued after being carried away by the current.

However, Briptu Nanda was pronounced dead en route to the hospital. Meanwhile, Serda Rangga was pronounced dead after arriving at the Danar Community Health Centre.