Boats Transporting Lebaran Homecomings Collision And Drowning In Muna Waters, Southeast Sulawesi

JAKARTA - A boat loaded with four Lebaran travelers and two motorized units sailing from Lainea Harbor, South Konawe Regency to Tampo Port in Muna Regency experienced a collision, causing passengers and motorbikes to fall into the sea in Muna Waters, Southeast Sulawesi.

The Towea Sector Police Chief (Kapolsek), Muna Polres Ipda La Ode Ali Musmin, in a written statement in Kendari, Sunday (1/5) night, said that as a result of the incident, four people were injured and two motorbikes drowned in the sea.

"It happened on Sunday, May 1, 2022, at around 00.30 WITA in the sea waters of Renda Island, Towea District, there was a sea accident that caused four passengers to be injured and two motorbike units drowned," he said.

He detailed that the four victims of the incident were Hesti Hartati (25) a student from Lagadi Village, Lawa District, West Muna Regency; Alikara (25) student from Bungi Village, Kontunaga District, Muna Regency

Furthermore, Lahani (29) a construction worker from Sawerigadi, Barangka District, West Muna Regency; and Officialana Feti Fera (19) a student from Lawa, Lagadi District, West Muna Regency.

He explained that initially a long boat piloted by La Rioma, a resident of Moasi Village, Towea District, Muna Regency, wanted to go to Lainea Harbor in Lainea District, South Konawe Regency to pick up passengers because he had been contacted by telephone at 00.30 WITA in the morning.

But right behind Renda Island, suddenly La Rioma saw in front of him a boat driven by Jamil (45) sailing from Lainea Harbor carrying two motorbikes and four passengers heading to Tampo Fery Port, Napabalano District, Muna Regency.

"La Rioma tried to avoid the boat, but because he was in a panic, he didn't have time to avoid the boat in front of him and hit him," he said.

As a result of the collision, the boat piloted by Jamil (45) overturned along with four passengers and two automatic motorbikes.

Then, La Rioma and fishermen who were around the scene rescued the four passengers and took them to the Tampo Fery Port, Napabalano District, Muna Regency.

"The victim and a ship owner from Lainea were taken to the Tampo Health Center because the victim suffered injuries and after that the perpetrator on behalf of La Rioma came to the Towea Police Sector and secured himself at the Towea Police Station," he said.

His party then went to the crime scene, recorded witnesses, and searched for the location of the sinking of the two motorcycle units to be evacuated to be taken to the Towea Police Station as evidence.

He said the boat that was hit from Lainea, Lainea District, South Konawe was still at the scene and broke due to a collision or hit by a boat belonging to La Ronea.

"There were no fatalities in this incident, but two units of the Honda Beat brand motorcycle and the Yamaha Mio motorcycle brand sank on the seabed at a depth of about three meters," said Ipda La Ode Ali Musmin.