SAR team evacuates bodies of two Austrian nationals after bridge fall

Personnel from the Maumere Search and Rescue (SAR) Office in Sikka Regency, East Nusa Tenggara evacuated the bodies of two Austrian nationals who reportedly died after falling from the Cunca Wulang Suspension Bridge in West Manggarai Regency on Sunday. Maumere SAR Office Chief Fathur Rahman, contacted in Kupang on Sunday evening, stated that both victims were successfully evacuated from the riverbed by a joint SAR team before being transported to Komodo Regional Hospital for identification. “The victims were evacuated by a joint SAR team and transported by ambulance to Komodo Regional Hospital. With the evacuation complete, the SAR operation has been declared finished and proposed for closure,” he said. The victims are identified as Jurgen, a 55-year-old man, and Astrid, a 57-year-old woman. The SAR Maumere Office received the incident report from West Manggarai Regional Disaster Management Agency (BPBD) Head Ovan Adu at around 12:30 PM WITA. According to the report, the victims fell from the suspension bridge in the area at approximately 11:30 AM WITA, necessitating SAR assistance. After coordinating with relevant parties, the joint SAR team proceeded to the riverbed location to carry out the evacuation. At 2:35 PM WITA, the victims were evacuated by ambulance to Komodo Regional Hospital, arriving at 3:33 PM WITA before being handed over to hospital authorities. The SAR operation involved personnel from the West Manggarai SAR Post, West Manggarai Police Resort, Samanggoang Police Station, West Manggarai BPBD, Beliling Babinsa, Civil Police, Tourism Department, district government, village government, and local community. The team deployed one personnel truck, medical equipment, rescue gear, and two Komodo Regional Hospital ambulances during the operation. Fathur Rahman noted the weather at the scene was clear, but the team experienced communication network issues during the operation.