Ationg Falls from a Speed Boat in Karimun Waters, SAR Team Conducts Search Operation 

TANJUNGPINANG - A joint SAR team conducted an intensive search operation for a passenger on the Karunia Jaya fast boat who was reported to have fallen into the sea in the waters in front of the Coastal Area, Tanjung Balai Karimun, Riau Islands Province.

The victim reportedly fell while the ship was on a rental route from Buru Island to Tanjung Balai Karimun, Thursday, March 5, early in the morning at around 00.15 WIB.

Head of the Tanjungpinang Class A SAR Office, Fazzli, said the victim was named Ationg, a man. However, until now his party is still collecting more information regarding the victim's full identity, including his age.

"Our initial report was received at around 00.40 WIB from a reporter named Febri," said Fazzli in his statement in Tanjungpinang, Antara, Thursday afternoon.

According to him, the cause of the victim falling from the ship is still not known for certain. After receiving the report, the SAR Office through the Tanjung Balai Karimun SAR Post immediately coordinated with the captain of the Karunia Jaya ship to determine the coordinates of the incident.

Based on the information received, the victim was reported to have fallen and disappeared at the coordinates 00°59.100' N - 103°26.166' E or about 3.51 nautical miles from the Tanjung Balai Karimun SAR Post.

As an initial step in the search operation, five personnel from the Tanjung Balai Karimun SAR Post Rescue Team were dispatched to the scene at 00.50 WIB using Rigid Inflatable Boat (RIB) 01.

"Until now, the team in the field is still continuing to search by considering the current and weather conditions in the surrounding waters," said Fazzli.

The search operation is still ongoing with a search around the location where the victim allegedly fell.