KM Four Brothers Drown In Ende Waters, NTT: 23 Passengers Survived, 1 Toddler Killed

ENDE - The Four Brothers Motor Ship (KM) sank on a voyage from Ende Island to Numba Basa Ende Village, Ende Regency, East Nusa Tenggara Saturday, April 3. In this incident, 1 child under five died.

Head of the Maumere Search and Relief Office, I Putu Sudayana, said the ship contained 24 passengers. The accident was discovered after a report from Irmawati, a resident of Ende at 12.30 WITA.

The exact location of the sinking of the Four Brothers KM is 2.29 nautical miles from the Port of Ende Island, Flores Island.

KM Empat Bersaudara departed from Ende Island at 11.15 WITA. In the middle of the sea, the ship is hit by waves with a height of 1-2 meters. Sea water filled the hull of the ship so that all passengers immediately jumped to save themselves.

"After receiving information about the sinking of the Four Brothers KM, we immediately coordinated with other SAR potentials in Ende and Lanal Maumere Regencies," he explained.

He said the SAR team in Ende District, consisting of SAR Ende members, the Police, the Navy and fishermen using 20 fishing boats immediately moved to the scene for rescue efforts.

SAR operations managed to save 23 passengers in a safe condition. Meanwhile, one passenger who was still a toddler was found dead.

"The passengers who survived were immediately evacuated by the SAR team to the Ende Community Health Center on Ende Island, Ende Regency to receive treatment," said I Putu Sudayana.

He added that there were six passengers who were treated at the Ende Puskesmas and 18 other passengers had been picked up by family members of the victims.

I Putu Sudayana appreciated the good cooperation with all the combined SAR Potentials, especially the Ende Island Sub-District Head and staff, Ende Island Police Chief and Ende Island staff and fishermen who were active in rescue operations amidst heavy rain storms and strong winds hitting the area.