SAR Team Finds Another Body from KM Nurul Salsa Sinking

The seventh day of the search operation for victims of the sunken KM Nurul Salsa in the waters off Selayar, South Sulawesi, was marked by the discovery of another body. A fisherman on Pamulikang Island reported a floating body in the surrounding waters on Tuesday (21/7). The body is strongly suspected to be one of the crew members who had been missing since the tragic accident occurred last week. With this finding, the number of fatalities from the passenger ship sinking has risen to two, while 17 others remain missing.

The joint team deployed to the location moved swiftly after receiving the report from residents. The KN SAR Kamajaya 104 and RIB KN SAR Pacitan vessels were dispatched to Pamulikang Island to carry out the evacuation. The body will subsequently be taken to Bhayangkara Hospital in Makassar for identification procedures to confirm its identity. “We cannot confirm the victim’s identity until the identification process is complete. Currently, our team is still focused on evacuation and identification procedures according to standard operations,” said Muhammad Arif Anwar, Head of the Makassar Class A Search and Rescue Office, when contacted from the SAR Post in Benteng, Selayar.

Arif, who also acts as the SAR Mission Coordinator, added that the search on the seventh day has been intensified, with the operation area expanded to 2,924 nautical square miles. The area has been divided into five search sectors, with six Search and Rescue Units deployed to comb every corner of the waters where victims might have drifted. “We appreciate this discovery. All personnel remain committed to continuing the search for the other victims who are still missing,” he added. The expansion of the search area aims to anticipate the movement of victims due to currents and winds over the past several days.

Based on data, the total number of people aboard the KM Nurul Salsa at the time of the accident was 78. Of these, 59 people were found alive, one person was previously confirmed dead, and with today’s discovery, the total number of fatalities stands at two. The operation involves multiple assets, including RB Mataram 220, KN SAR Puntadewa, KN SAR Kamajaya 104, KN SAR Pacitan, KRI Marlin 877, and KRI Hiu 634, supported by personnel from the Indonesian National Armed Forces, Indonesian National Police, Regional Disaster Management Agency, harbourmaster’s office, local government, and fishing vessels. Arif expressed appreciation for the active role of the community and fishermen who continue to provide information to the field team, stating that every report received will be promptly followed up to expedite the search process.