Falls Help Friends, Anglers In South Bangka Are Found Lifeless

The Joint SAR TIM for the Province of the Bangka Belitung Islands managed to evacuate the bodies of anglers at Gunung Namak Beach, South Bangka, Thursday (16/10/2025). BETWEEN/HO-Pangkalpinang SAR Public Relations

PANGKALPINANG - The Joint SAR Team of Bangka Belitung Islands Province managed to evacuate the body of Ridho (23), an angler who was swept away by the current while fishing in the waters of Gunung Namak Beach, South Bangka Regency.

"Alhamdulillah, this morning the victim was found even though he was dead," said Head of the Pangkalpinang Search and Rescue Office (SAR) Made Oka Astawa in Pangkalpinang, Antara, Thursday, October 16.

He explained that the Pangkalpinang SAR Office received information regarding the incident last Wednesday at around 14.00 WIB.

Based on witness testimony, Ilham the victim's colleague the incident began when the two crossed over to the rocks across the beach. Both of them could not swim and slipped due to the big waves.

Ridho had a chance to climb a rock, but when he saw his colleague being swept away by the current, he tried to help. This heroic action made Ilham survive, but Ridho was dragged by the waves into the middle of the sea and drowned.

The victim's colleague who survived then contacted his family and reported the incident to the Pangkalpinang SAR Office.

Following up on the report, Basarnas sent a rescue team from the Toboali SAR Alert Unit (USS) to the scene at coordinates 3°6'30.38"S, 106°31'51.72"E.

The search operation involved the Joint SAR Team from Kansar Pangkalpinang, Damkar Toboali, BPBD Toboali, Babinsa, Bhabinkamtibmas, and local residents. They carried out sweeping using Basarnas rubber boats and Polairud speedboats.

Search efforts were temporarily suspended at night due to limited visibility. The team then continued monitoring on the coast until early morning.

"At 05.30 WIB, the victim was found not far from the scene of the incident dead," said Made.

The victim's body was immediately evacuated and taken to the funeral home in Toboali. With the discovery of the victim, Made said that the SAR operation was officially closed.