SAR Team Finds Two More Bodies from KM Nurul Salsa, Extends Search Operation
The joint Search and Rescue (SAR) team has recovered another body from the KM Nurul Salsa ferry accident. The victim’s body, wearing a life jacket, was found floating in the waters east of Sanana Besar Island, Pangkajene and Kepulauan Regency, South Sulawesi, on Tuesday. The discovery was made after the SAR team received a report from the Matallang Island village apparatus. The KN Pacitan SAR vessel was deployed to evacuate the body and subsequently handed it over to the KN Kamajaya.
On the seventh day of the operation, Tuesday, two bodies from the KM Nurul Salsa accident were recovered. Both bodies were transported to Soekarno-Hatta Port in Makassar for identification by the Disaster Victim Identification (DVI) unit of the South Sulawesi Regional Police’s Medical and Health Division.
Following the discovery of these two bodies, the SAR operation, which was initially scheduled to conclude on the seventh day, has been officially extended for an additional three days to continue the search for the remaining 16 missing individuals. Basarnas Director of Operations, First Admiral TNI Yudhi Bramantyo, stated from the Benteng Selayar command post via a video statement that the extension follows standard operating procedures, which typically limit operations to seven days. However, based on field evaluations and the recent discovery of victims, an agreement was reached with the local government and all SAR elements to prolong the search.
During the extended operation, the joint SAR team will continue to deploy all marine assets and local potential, adjusting the search area based on current movements, wind analysis, and Search and Rescue Maritime Prediction (SARMAP) evaluations. Assets deployed include KN SAR Kamajaya, KN SAR Pacitan, KN SAR Puntadewa, RB 202, KRI Marlin 877, KRI Hiu, and a Boeing 737-200. Basarnas confirmed that all evacuation and identification processes will be conducted according to applicable procedures, while the search for the remaining missing persons will continue until the extended period concludes. According to the manifest, 78 people were aboard KM Nurul Salsa. Of these, 59 were found alive, three have been confirmed dead, and 16 remain missing. The vessel had departed from Jampea Island bound for Benteng Selayar Port on Wednesday at approximately 5:00 a.m. local time before experiencing engine trouble in the waters west of Polassi Island, about 43 nautical miles from its destination.