The Lalongkoe Tourism Ship Sank In The Waters Of Batu Tiga NTT

BETWEEN/HO-Basarnas Maumere

KUPANG - The KM Lalongkoe tourist ship with 12 passengers returning from traveling on Komodo Island reportedly drowned in the waters of Batu Tiga, Boleng District, West Manggarai Regency, East Nusa Tenggara Province.

"The Labuan Bajo SAR Post received a report about the accident of the KM Lalongkoe tourist boat carrying 12 tourists sinking in the waters of Batu Tiga, Labuan Bajo, West Manggarai Regency. The ship sank after being hit by wind and high waves," said Head of the Maumere Search and Rescue Office (Basarnas), Mexianus Bekabel, as reported by ANTARA, Saturday, May 20.

The Labuan Bajo SAR Post received information about the accident of the Lalongkoe Motorboat at around 15.30 WITA.

The Lalongkoe Tourism Motorboat carrying 12 tourists originally departed from Komodo Harbor to Labuan Bajo ASDP Pier.

However, at around 15.45 WITA, when KM Wisata Lalongkoe passed through Batu Tiga waters or around 18.8 Nautical Mile from the ASDP port of Labuan Bajo, the ship was hit by strong winds and high waves so that the ship sank.

The Labuan Bajo SAR team together with the potential for SAR in West Manggarai Regency consisting of the Police, TNI, Labuan Bajo Marine KP3 have been at the location to carry out rescue and search SAR operations for passengers.

"The SAR team is already at the location to carry out search and rescue operations for passengers who took part in the voyage with KM Wisata Lalongkoe," said Mexianus Bekabel.