Struck By Lightning, Fisherman Falls From Boat Lost In North Maluku Waters

JAKARTA - A fisherman named Yusuf Ridua reportedly fell from a boat and disappeared after being struck by lightning while at sea in the waters of Tanjung Lili, East Halmahera (Haltim), North Maluku (Malut).

"The Ternate Search and Rescue Office has sent a Rescue Team to the location of the case to carry out a search operation for victims," said Head of the Haltim Regency Regional Disaster Management Agency (BPBD), Darso Gadjal, when contacted, Tuesday, September 10, by Antara.

According to him, the incident occurred on September 9, 2024 at 15.00 WIT, when the victim, who was fishing on the boat, suddenly had cloudy weather and was struck by lightning. The victim fell from the boat and disappeared.

Furthermore, the victim's family through the Haltim BPBD reported the incident to the Ternate KPP and asked for SAR assistance.

Meanwhile, the Coordinator of Data and Information at the Sultan Baabullah Ternate Meteorological Station, BMKG Ternate, Zaky Alin Nuary stated that his party had issued an early warning of strong winds and high waves that were valid on September 10 at 12.00 WIT until September 14, 2024 at 00.00 WIT.

According to him, it was observed that there were 2 tropical cyclone seeds in the waters of the Pacific Ocean which were predicted to be getting stronger, resulting in an indirect impact in the form of increasing wind speed in the North Maluku region reaching about 45 kilometers per hour and increasing wave height in the North Maluku waters.

Meanwhile, the potential for strong winds is likely to occur in Ternate City, Tidore Islands City, West Halmahera Regency, South Halmahera, Morotai Island, Sula Islands and Taliabu Islands.

In addition, said Zaky, wave heights of 1.25 - 2.5 meters are likely to occur around the Ternate Lolode, Ternate Sofifi, Ternate Jailolo, Ternate - Sofifi and Ternate - Bacan - Obi - Sanana

For this reason, the community is advised to reduce activities and stay away from old trees or be prone to falling.

According to Zaky, the community and ships carrying out activities around the waters of North Maluku and surrounding areas, especially those listed on the above early warning list, are expected to consider these conditions.