Three SMAN 1 Lebong Bengkulu Students Died Being Carried Away by Flood Waters

JAKARTA - Three students from Lebong Regency High School (SMAN) 1, Bengkulu Province, were found dead after being swept away by the flood in the Kemaceak River, Lemeu Village, the local regency on Monday (4/5) at around 17.00 WIB.

The Head of the Regional Disaster Management Agency (BPBD) Lebong Regency Syaprul said all victims trapped in the flash flood were found lifeless.

"The three victims who were trapped in the Kemaceakdi River flood in Lemeu Village, Uram Jaya District, were all found dead, namely HA (17), AF (16), and AR (16)," he said as quoted by ANTARA, Tuesday, May 5.

The three victims were found by a joint team on Monday (4/5) evening. The bodies of the victims were immediately evacuated to Lebong Hospital for medical examination before being handed over to their respective families.

The accident, he said, occurred when eight SMAN 1 Lebong students were on a tour activity in the Kemaceak River on Monday afternoon at around 17.00 WIB. Suddenly, the river's water discharge increased drastically due to the flood from upstream that dragged five people from this group of students.

"Of the five people who were swept away, two managed to save themselves to the shore, while the other three were swept away by the very strong river current," he explained.

The five students who were declared safe in the incident were Tegar Keanu Al Qayyum (16), Charisa Nindiya Putri (16), Najwa Assyifa (16), Salsa Cahya Ramadhani (16), and Farhan Novendri (16).

According to Syaprul, this search and evacuation operation involved joint personnel consisting of BPBD Lebong, TNI elements, Polri, Basarnas, volunteers, and assistance from the local community.

On that occasion, he urged the people of the area to increase vigilance and avoid activities along the river, because floods or water can come at any time, especially in the midst of the current uncertain weather conditions.