Basarnas: 13 Passengers of KM Cahaya Intan Celebes Drowned in Bombana

KENDARI - Basarnas Kendari reported the sinking of the Cahaya Intan Celebes GT 44 Motor Boat (KM) in the waters of Poleang, Bombana Regency, South Sulawesi Province (Sultra). The ship carried a total of 20 people, consisting of 13 passengers and seven crew members.

According to Basarnas Kendari Public Relations Officer, Wahyudi, the sinking of the ship occurred on Saturday morning, February 14 at around 09.00 WITA. The ship was known to have departed from Bajoe Port, Bone City, South Sulawesi, with the final destination being Boepinang Port, Bombana Regency.

"At that time, the ship departed from Bajoe Port, Bone City, with the destination being Boepinang Bombana Port," Wahyudi said when contacted in Kendari, Saturday.

The ship reportedly suffered a leak while in the middle of the sea, which caused water to enter the hull and eventually sank.

Head of the Kolaka SAR Post, Haeruddin, gave a more detailed explanation of the chronology of the incident. KM Cahaya Intan Celebes departed from Bajoe Port at around 00.00 WITA.

At 06.00 WITA, the ship experienced a hull leak due to being hit by large waves and strong winds. The crew tried to pump water out using four alkon engine units, but the effort was unable to keep up with the volume of water entering.

"And at 06.00 Wita, the ship experienced a leak in the hull of the ship due to being hit by large waves and strong winds. So, at that time the crew of the ship tried to pump water using four alkon engines. However, it still was not able to," explained Haeruddin.

Seeing the increasingly critical condition of the ship, the ship's captain took the initiative to approach the fishing boat seen around the scene. All passengers and crew were successfully evacuated by local fishermen before the ship actually sank.

"All passengers and crew were evacuated to the Boepinang Bombana Health Center," said Wahyudi.

All the survivors have received medical treatment at the Boepinang Health Center to ensure their health condition after the incident.