Joint SAR Team Continues Search For Ketut Wijaya In East Kolaka

JAKARTA – The search for a pepper farmer named Ketut Wijaya (35) who was reported missing since January 26, 2022 in the forest of Wia-wia Village, Poli-Polia District, East Kolaka Regency, Southeast Sulawesi, is being continued by the joint SAR Team.

"At 06.30 WITA, the joint SAR team continued the third day of SAR operations against conditions that endanger humans for one person missing in the forest of Wiawia Village, East Kolaka," said the head of the Kendari Basarnas, Aris Sofingi, in a written statement in Kendari, Sunday, January 30.

The search operation was carried out by a joint SAR team by dividing into three groups. The first team conducted a sweep north of the last location of the victim's whereabouts with a radius of four kilometers.

Next, the second team conducted a sweeping south from the last location of the victim's whereabouts. Then the third team conducted a search in the southeast direction of the victim's last location, each with a radius of four kilometers.

He conveyed that the search operation for farmers from Wiawia Village involved a combination of elements including the rescue team from the Kolaka SAR Post, Ladongi Police, Babinsa Wiawia Village, Wiawia Village officials, local communities and the families of the victims.

Aris explained that on January 26, 2022 Ketut Wijaya went to pick pepper with his two friends. After picking pepper, at around 17.00 WITA, they went home.

"On the way back home, the victim and two of his colleagues took different roads, the victim headed west while two of his colleagues headed north," said Aris, as quoted by Antara.

After that, the Head of the Intel Ladongi Police Unit reported the disappearance of Ketut Wijaya on Friday, January 28, and the Search and Rescue Office followed up on the report by deploying a rescue team. However, until Sunday, January 30, Ketut Wijaya had not been found.