KM Nurul Salsa SAR Operation Stopped, Several Victims Still Missing

JAKARTA - Basarnas has stopped the search operation for the victims of the KM Nurul Salsa in Makassar even though a number of people are still missing. The search is considered no longer effective after all SAR capabilities and potential have been deployed.

Head of Basarnas Marsda TNI Mohammad Syafii said the decision to stop the operation was taken together with related parties, including the victim's family.

"Some of the victims have indeed been declared missing. The decision was made together because the operation was declared ineffective to be carried out," said Syafii at the Presidential Palace Complex, Jakarta, Tuesday, July 28.

He did not specify the number of victims who had not been found, the duration of the search, or the obstacles faced by the team in the field.

According to Syafii, the suspension of operations does not mean that the search is closed absolutely. Basarnas will reopen operations if new signs or clues are found regarding the whereabouts of the victims.

"If there are signs, of course we will open operations again to carry out follow-up operations," he said.

Syafii said there was no request from the victim's family to repeat the search after the operation was stopped.

"Yesterday's decision was taken together with the family," he said.