Ship Engine Fails, Aceh Fisherman Stranded Until Reaching Sri Lanka

A fisherman from Pulo Aceh, Aceh Besar Regency, was reported stranded in Sri Lanka after the motorised boat he was aboard suffered engine damage and was swept away by Indian Ocean currents. Panglima Laot Aceh reported that the fisherman was named Sadiqin, a resident of Meulingge, Pulo Aceh Subdistrict, Aceh Besar Regency. According to Panglima Laot Aceh Miftah Tjut Adek, the fisherman was previously reported missing whilst fishing on 1 February 2026.

“Sadiqin was fishing using a motorised boat commonly called a bot teptep,” said Miftah in Banda Aceh on Friday.

Based on information received, the motorised boat used by Sadiqin suffered engine damage whilst in Indian Ocean waters. As a result of the damage, the fishing boat was swept away by ocean currents until it eventually reached the Sri Lankan region. After being found, Sadiqin was then rescued and evacuated to a hospital in the country.

Currently, the fisherman from Aceh is still receiving treatment at a hospital approximately two hours’ travel from Colombo.

The Panglima Laot Aceh is now coordinating with the Indonesian Embassy in Sri Lanka regarding the fisherman’s whereabouts. Additionally, reports have been submitted to the Ministry of Marine Affairs and Fisheries through the Lampulo Marine and Fisheries Resource Supervision Base.

Coordination is also being conducted with the Aceh Marine and Fisheries Office to follow up on handling and the process of repatriating the fisherman to Indonesia.

“We are also endeavouring to secure his return,” emphasised Miftah.