Toddler Dragged By Floods In Samarinda Found Dead

SAMARINDA - The joint Search and Rescue (SAR) team from several elements finally managed to find one child under five, a boy on behalf of Nabil Sarim (2 years) who was swept away by the flood currents in Gang Saka, Jalan P. Suryanata, Bukit Pinang Village, Samarinda, East Kalimantan, in a state of death.

"We also express our condolences and pray to the families of the victims to be steadfast. The victim was found dead after two days of searching by the joint SAR elements," said SAR Operations Team Commander Riqi Efendi, quoted by ANTARA, Tuesday, May 14.

The victim was found on Tuesday (14/5) by the joint SAR Team within a radius of about 20 meters from the scene. After being found, the victim was immediately evacuated and handed over to the victim's family.

He explained that the search process was quite challenging because the river current was very strong and the water was very cloudy, but thanks to the cooperation and synergy of all parties, the victim was finally found.

"We from Basarnas and all the potential SAR involved would like to thank the community and families who helped, with the discovery of the victim, the SAR operation being declared complete and all elements returned to their respective units," he said.

Previously, the Head of the Balikpapan SAR Office, Dody Setiawan, explained that the search was carried out using a manual sweeping method along the riverbank to the downstream. The condition of the river is too narrow to hinder the use of rubber boats.

Based on the witness' narrative, the incident began on Monday 12 May 2025 at 14:21 WITA after heavy rains, when the victim was playing on the terrace of the house with his father cleaning the yard.

But without his father realizing it, the victim fell and was immediately carried away by the swift flood in front of the house.

The initial search efforts were carried out by the family and the community, but had not yielded any results, so the family then reported this incident.

"The report was officially received by the National SAR Agency (Basarnas) of East Kalimantan at 16.50 WITA through the reporter on behalf of Mrs. Erna," said Dody.

Then the Balikpapan SAR Office Rescue Team moved to the scene at 17.10 WITA, arrived at the scene at 20.30 WITA, then conducted a search, until finally Tuesday they managed to find the victim.