2 Students From Medan And Aceh Died Drowning In Lake Toba

The SAR team searched for two students who were swept away in the waters of Lake Toba Lumban Pasir, Sibandang Village, Muara District, North Tapanuli Regency. BETWEEN/HO-Humas North Tapanuli Police

Two students died in the waters of Lake Toba, precisely in Lumban Pasir, Sibandang Village, Muara District, North Tapanuli Regency, North Sumatra.

The two victims were CEM (16) a resident of Jalan Tuar, Amplas Village, Medan Amplas District, Medan City, and AS (17) a resident of Gajah Mati, Bukit Bintang Indah Village, Lauser District, Aceh.

Head of Public Relations of the Taput Police Ipda B. Gultom said the incident occurred on Sunday (17/6) at around 17.50 WIB.

Gultom said that according to witness statements, namely RMS (14) and CS (13), at that time they were going to take a bath at Lake Toba in the Sibandang Island area.

"After arriving at the beach, the victim of CEM jumped directly into Lake Toba, but could not swim. Finally he struggled in the water asking for help," he said, quoted by ANTARA, Monday, June 19.

Furthermore, the US victim tried to help by giving her one hand and another hand holding the edge of the ship that was parked.

"The US victim was unable to pull with one hand, then jumped into Lake Toba trying to help. But the victim CEM hugged the US victim so he couldn't move and both of them were swept away," he said.

After seeing that the two victims did not appear again on the surface of Lake Toba. The two witnesses reported the incident to local residents to conduct a search.

Local residents together with Polsek and Koramil Muara personnel also searched for victims, but to no avail.

"Then contacted the SAR team from Parapat and on Sunday night. The SAR team conducted a search at the TKP until 21.00 WIB, but failed to find the victim," he said.

Since Monday morning the surrounding community, Muspika Muara, BPBD of the Taput Regency Government and the SAR team have returned to search.

At around 8.30 WIB, finally the SAR team found the two victims, in a state of death.

When found, the two victims hugged each other not far from their first position, they were swept away at the depth of Lake Toba, which is estimated at 11 meters.

"The two victims before they died visited the uncleyya's house in Sibandang Village, Muara District, Taput Regency," said Gultom.