From KRI Suharso, The TNI Commander Again Participates In The Search For KRI Nanggala-402

JAKARTA - TNI Commander Marshal Hadi Tjahjanto is back following and directly monitoring the search for the submarine KRI Nanggala-402 from the top of KRI Suharso, Friday, April 23.

"The commander-in-chief will also go there this afternoon to monitor and follow the search process in person," said the Head of the Indonesian National Armed Forces, Major General TNI Achmad Riad during a press conference at the Base Ops Base Ngurah Rai, Badung, Bali, as reported by Antara.

In addition to the TNI commander, Chief of Naval Staff (Kasal) Admiral Yudo Margono will also follow the search for KRI Nanggala-402 from the top of KRI Suharso.

"For your information, Mr. Kasal left for KRI Suharso," said Riad.

Previously, Hadi Tjahjanto, on Thursday, April 22, directly led the search for ships from the top of KRI Suharso.

From the video footage broadcast by the TNI Puspen, the commander promised to continue searching for KRI Nanggala-402 along with all soldiers and crew, which totaled 53 people.

"We will continue to carry out search and rescue and do our best to bring back our brothers and sisters of the KRI Nanggala-402 soldiers to their families," said the TNI commander to the search force.

"Let's always pray that our family of Nanggala-402 soldiers are safe and we will find them soon. Be strong until the end," added Hadi.

The search for the KRI Nanggala-402 in the waters north of Bali Island has been going on since Wednesday (21/4), a few hours after the submarine lost contact at around 03.00 WITA while doing the dive.

So far, the TNI has deployed 21 KRIs, most of which are ships with sonar detection capabilities.

In addition, the TNI is also assisted by four ships from the police, as well as two ships and a remote operation vehicle (ROV) operated by Basarnas.

Meanwhile, Indonesia also received assistance from friendly countries, including Malaysia, Singapore, India and Australia to carry out search and rescue operations for KRI Nanggala-402.

In a press conference in Bali, Friday, the Head of the Indonesian Military for Retirement, Maj. Gen. Achmad Riad, explained that the search area is still concentrated in the northern waters of Bali Island. Some of the clues that have been found by the search team, including spills of fuel oil and high-strength magnetic points at a depth of 50-100 meters.

"There is a magnetic point that is strong enough, hopefully it will not change and will be pursued. Hopefully it will become a bright spot," said Achmad Riad.

He further emphasized that the search operation will be maximized until the final limit, considering that the oxygen capacity of KRI Nanggala-402 in a state of total death (blackout) is likely only up to 72 hours or approximately three days. The ship lost contact at 03.00 WITA, Wednesday (21/4), so oxygen may be available until 03.00 WITA, Saturday, April 24.

KRI Nanggala-402 lost contact on Wednesday morning during torpedo launch exercise 8. The last communication with KRI Nanggala-402 took place at 04.25 WITA, which is when the training task force commander will authorize the firing of the torpedo.