The SAR Team Is Still Looking For 2 Victims Of The Sinking Ship In Penajam
BALIKPAPAN - A joint SAR team from various elements is still looking for two missing victims due to the sinking ferry in Balikpapan Bay, East Kalimantan, namely the Passenger Motor Ship (KMP) Muchlisa with the Balikpapan route to North Penajam Paser Regency (PPU).
"KMP Muchlisa drowned at around 15.00 WITA with a location near Penajam or about one kilometer from Penajam Port," said Head of the Balikpapan Search and Rescue Office (SAR) Dody Setiawan as reported by ANTARA, Monday, May 5.
Based on the report he received, the total number of victims on board was 44 people consisting of 23 passengers and 21 crew members. Meanwhile, of the 21 crew members consisted of 18 crew members (ABK) and the rest were cadets.
"Of the total 44 victims, 42 people survived and have been evacuated since this afternoon. They were evacuated to a number of locations, some were evacuated to Semayang Harbor, some went to Kariangau Harbor, and some were evacuated to Penajam. Meanwhile, two people are still being searched," he said.
Meanwhile, the joint teams that carried out the evacuation and search for victims included the Balikpapan SAR Office, North Penajam Paser BPBD, Balikpapan BPBD, police, TNI, and a number of volunteers.
"The action we are carrying out at the location of the incident at this time is to carry out surface searches and initial assessments for diving, but at this time we have not yet entered the ship that sank because there may still be strong currents at the bottom of Penajam waters," said Dody.
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In this search operation, he continued, the SAR team was equipped with communication equipment, medical equipment, diving equipment, and a thermal drone to support the search for victims.
Meanwhile, Head of the Balikpapan Port Authority and Port Authority (KSOP) Heru Susanto said that KMP Muchlisa, apart from carrying passengers and crew, also carried nine vehicles, namely two motorbikes and seven cars.
"This ship has just finished inspection (doc) in February 2025 so that it is technically declared feasible. Currently the ship's agents have taken responsibility for the passengers, including provision of food and temporary accommodation," he said.