SAR Operation Searches For 25 Victims Of KMP Tunu Extended By 3 Days

BANYUWANGI - Deputy for Search and Rescue Operations Basarnas Ribut Eko Suyanto stated that the search and rescue operation (SAR) for the victims of the sinking ship KMP Tunu Pratama Jaya was extended for three days from Wednesday (9/7) to Friday (11/7) on humanitarian grounds.

"Today is the seventh day of the SAR operation, based on humanitarian considerations and the direction of our superiors (the central government) for the search operation to extend for the next three days," said Eko, Tuesday, July 8.

According to him, the extension of the SAR operation by the joint SAR team was carried out because there were still many victims who had not been found and had to be evacuated by considering the safety of the SAR team involved.

With the extended SAR operation for victims of KMP Tunu Pratama Jaya which sank on Wednesday (2/7), Eko asked his staff to assess the number of personnel so that search and rescue activities were more effective and efficient.

"The focus of the future SAR implementation will evacuate and follow up on the underwater picture carried out by the marine SRU team as well as SRU underwater and videography, and take further steps and plans by always considering safety," said Ek as quoted by ANTARA.

Data from the SAR Operations Post and the Potential for Joint SAR at Ketapang Port, Banyuwangi, said that as of Tuesday night the number of survivors was recorded at 30 people, 10 victims were found dead and 25 other victims were still missing and are being searched.

KMP Tunu Pratama Jaya carrying 53 passengers and 12 crew members and 22 units of the vehicle sank on Wednesday, July 2, 2025.