SAR Finds 7 Victims Of Lost Ship Contact In Wondama Bay Waters

MANOKWARI - The joint SAR found seven passengers on the engine boat in a safe condition on the island of Abaruki in the Auri archipelago, Teluk Wondama district, West Papua, after losing contact since December 4.

"We found the seven survivors, running out of fuel and food on Abaruki Island, in the Auri Islands, Wondama Bay," said Head of the Manokwari SAR Office, Monce Bruri in Manokwari, quoted by Antara, Wednesday, December 8.

He explained that the 40 PK fiber engine boat with seven passengers departed from Wasior, Teluk Wondama district on December 4 at 09.00 WIT for the Auri islands and was planned to arrive back on December 5.

"However, until December 7 they had not returned, nor could they be contacted, so the families of the victims reported to the Wasior SAR alert post to conduct a search," said Monce.

The search operation was carried out by a joint SAR team on December 7, but was constrained by extreme weather so the search continued on Wednesday, assisted by an air search using a Susi Air aircraft.

"The survivors have been evacuated back to Wasior, Teluk Wondama district, so this operation is officially closed," he said.

SAR urges the coastal communities of West Papua to prioritize safety when conducting inter-island shipping activities, and to ensure that all facilities used are in good condition, especially fuel reserves.