The Fate Of Malang Melky, An Asmat Resident, Lost In A River Current And Found On The Coast, Died Covered In Sand

JAKARTA - Melky (30), a resident of Asmat Regency, Papua, who was reported missing due to drowning in a river in Suru-suru District, on Wednesday (5/1), was finally found dead.

Head of the Search and Rescue (SAR) Office, George LM Randang, in Timika, Friday, January 7, said that the search for victims was carried out again on Friday morning, involving personnel from the Agats SAR Post, assisted by the police and the local community.

"This morning the joint SAR team at around 08.25 WIT resumed the search for victims. The team used an inflatable boat with a 25 PK engine," said George as quoted by Antara.

After searching for a radius of approximately 5 noutical miles from the last location of the victim being dragged by the flood currents, the victim was finally found at around 09.20 WIT.

"The victim was found dead. The victim was found on the coast with the body partially covered in mud and sand," said George.

Furthermore, the victim's body was evacuated by the joint SAR team to be handed over to the family for burial.

The victim is known to have boarded a boat with his partner, Jimi, on Wednesday (5/1), crossing Suru-suru to find the right position for fishing.

But unlucky, in the middle of the journey, the boat they were riding was dragged by the river current until it capsized and sank. Jimy immediately swam to shore to survive, but the victim was dragged along with the sinking boat and was finally declared missing.