SAR Team Searches For Missing Women In Forests In South Buton

The joint SAR team searched the forest to find victims. (Between/HO-Basarnas Kendari)

The Wakatobi SAR team, Basarnas Kendari, is looking for a middle-aged woman who went missing in the Katolemando Forest, Sandang Pangan Village, Sampolawa District, South Buton Regency, Southeast Sulawesi (Sultra).

Head of Basarnas Kendari Muhammad Arafah said the missing woman was named Wa Siambo (74), a resident of Sandang Pangan Village.

Information on the disappearance of the victim, first reported by the family.

"Mr. Iron, the victim's family reported to the Kendari Basarnas," said Arafah as quoted by ANTARA, Monday, September 18.

Based on the report, continued Arafah, his party then dispatched the Baubau SAR Post Rescue Team to an informed location to provide SAR assistance to victims.

"The distance from that location with the Wakatobi SAR Post is about 45 kilometers," said Arafah.

Several elements involved in the search for the victims were the Baubau SAR Post, Wakatobi SAR Post, Baubau City PMI, South Buton BPBD, local residents, and the families of the victims.

"The tools used to search for victims are rescue cars, rubber boats, rescue trucks, mountain climbing equipment, and other safety support equipment," said Arafah.

Upon arrival, the Baubau SAR Post Rescue Team in the Katolemando forest, his party immediately conducted a sweep until 18.00 WITA. However, the whereabouts of the victim have not been found.

"The SAR operation will be temporarily suspended and will resume tomorrow morning, Tuesday (19/9) at 06.30 WITA," he said.

The head of the Kendari Basarnas also revealed that according to the victim's family, Wa Siambo disappeared while looking for betel nut in the Katolemando forest, Sandang Pangan Village, Sampolawa District, South Buton Regency, on Sunday (17/9) at around 16.00 WITA.

"However, the victim did not return overnight until Monday (18/9) at 07.00 WITA," said Arafah.