BPBD Kukar And The Joint Team Search For Ship Accident Victims On The Mahakam River

SAMARINDA - An accident involving two ships occurred in the Mahakam River, Kutai Kartanegara, East Kalimantan. The Search and Rescue (SAR) Team of the Regional Disaster Management Agency (BPBD) rushed into the field with a joint team to search for missing victims. "The maritime accident that occurred at around 04.10 WITA involved a tugboat TB Entebe Emerald 51 which collided with the cargo ship Berkat Indah 2020 which was transporting building materials," said BMKG SAR Field Coordinator Kukar Eko Surya Winata in Kukar, Sunday. He conveyed that the incident began when TB Entebe Emerald 51 finished making a turn-off maneuver in dark waters. The goods ship, Thanks to Indah 2020, which was about to pass, did not make radio communication first, so the two ships did not have time to escape until a collision finally occurred.

The crew of the eight-person TB Enteb Emerald is led by Captain Yohan Sulaiman. In addition to the captain, Esra Toding is listed as the head of the engine room and another crew member on duty in the important part of the ship. "At the time of the accident, Natalius Patiku was known to be the helm's driver on duty," said Eko. From the side of the Goods Berkat Indah 2020 ship, which transports various items, such as cement and iron, there are five passengers, including a small child named Abijal, aged three years. The accident resulted in the passengers of the KM Berkat Indah 2020 ship. The KM Passengers Thanks to Indah 2020, including Ari Narkoda and his wife Nursida, Abijal (3), Azis ABK KM Berkat Indah, and Ferdiansyah who are also crew members thanks to Indah. Search efforts are still continuing to find one of the ABK Berkat Indah, Azis and the three-year-old passenger Abijal who were reported missing after the accident. The joint SAR team consisting of BPBD Kukar, Police, TNI, and volunteers from the local community are working hard to carry out sweeps in the area around the scene. "The survivors who suffered injuries have been evacuated to the Muara Wis Health Center for medical treatment," he said. Their condition continues to be monitored and released after being judged to be stable enough to leave the puskesmas. He appealed to all parties involved in navigation in the Mahakam River to always pay attention to security and communication during the waters to avoid similar accidents in the future. BPBD Kukar continues to coordinate with related agencies and local communities to provide information and respond quickly to the needs that arose during the evacuation and search process. "This incident brings lessons about the importance of maritime safety and cooperation in emergency situations," said Eko.