TVRI Presenter Swept Away by Currents in West Papua, Search Enters Second Day

A presenter for the public broadcaster TVRI Papua Barat, Yanto Idorway, has been reported missing after being swept away by currents in a river leading to the Memti Waterfall in Sisrang Village, Arfak Mountains Regency, on Saturday (18/7).

As of Sunday evening, a joint search and rescue (SAR) operation had yet to locate the victim. Head of the Manokwari SAR Office, Yefri Sabaruddin, stated that the second day of the search, which concluded at 6:42 p.m. local time, yielded no signs of the missing presenter despite extensive efforts by air and land.

“The second day of the operation is now closed. The search will resume tomorrow morning with an expanded area,” Yefri said in Manokwari on Sunday.

The operation commenced at 7:30 a.m. after a briefing with the joint SAR team, which includes personnel from the Manokwari SAR Office, the Arfak Mountains Police, and the 1812/Arfak Mountains Military District Command. The team deployed one rescue car and nine operational vehicles from SAR potential units to reach the location. Upon reaching the furthest point accessible by vehicle, the team had to trek approximately three kilometres on foot to reach the incident site.

During the search, the team faced significant obstacles, including difficult terrain, long access routes, foggy road conditions, and cold temperatures in the highland area. A thermal drone was deployed to conduct aerial monitoring and to sweep along the river to detect any trace of the victim, who was swept away on Saturday around 2:00 p.m. local time. The team also installed safety lines to allow for a more thorough examination of the area surrounding the incident site.

The victim was reportedly swept away after slipping while crossing the river to reach the Memti Waterfall area. Two relatives attempted an independent search but were unsuccessful.