2 Days Lost In Tutuyan Forest, North Sulawesi, Rat Hunter Found Weak In River Bank

MANADO The joint SAR team managed to find a resident who had been reported missing for two days in the Tutuyan forest area, Bolaang Mongondow Timur (Boltim) Regency, North Sulawesi.

The victim was named Jefry Tumuyu (57), a resident of West Kacenturan Village, South Minahasa Regency. He was found weak but conscious, on the banks of the river, last Saturday at around 13.17 WITA.

"The search and rescue unit unit two detected body heat on the banks of the river. The victim was found weak but conscious," said Public Relations of the Manado SAR Office, Nuriadin Gumeleng when confirmed, Antara, Sunday, July 13.

After undergoing the initial medical examination, Jefry was immediately evacuated and handed over to the family for further treatment.

Previously, the victim was reported missing while hunting for forest rats with six of his colleagues on Thursday, July 10.

At that time, Jefry and his entourage entered the Tutuyan forest at around 16.00 WITA. In the middle of the trip, Jefry decided to cross the river alone, while his colleagues continued their journey through the hill path. Since then, visual contact with the victim has been cut off.

His colleagues had conducted an independent search and found traces of the victim on the riverbank. However, the trail was cut off so that the incident was reported to the Manado SAR Office.

The joint SAR team consisting of two Search and Rescue Units (SRU) was deployed on Saturday morning. SRU-1 combed the land route, while SRU-2 traced the river flow using rubber boats and thermal drones.

"The use of thermal drones really helped speed up the discovery of victims," said Manado's Head of the SAR Office, George LM Randang.

After the victim was found, all SAR elements were withdrawn to their respective units on Sunday, July 13, at 02.00 WITA. Search operations are also officially proposed to close.

The elements involved in this SAR operation include the Manado SAR Office (9 personnel), Kotamobagu SAR Post (4 personnel), BPBD Boltim (5 personnel), PMI Boltim Branch (2 personnel), as well as local governments, communities, and families of victims.