JAKARTA - Three passengers of the Fitri Jaya motor boat (KM) were declared dead after drowning when the boat overturned in the waters of Podang-Podang Island, Liukang Tupabbiring District, Pangkajene Kepulauan Regency (Pangkep), South Sulawesi.
"Yes, there was a ship accident. We received information about a ship accident earlier," said the Head of the Operations Standby Section of the Makassar Basarnas Office, Andi Sultan, when confirmed, Saturday.
Information obtained, the ship carrying 11 passengers had a maritime accident until it was overturned by high waves in the Mattiro Dolangeng Village area, Liukang Tupabiring District, Pangkep at around 11.00 WITA.
The wooden boat carried a group of health workers and local camat to bring Dompet Dhuafa social assistance to Sarappo Island, Pangkep.
The doomed ship carried a load of about 40 sacks of cement, and 40 toilets to the local island. The group departed from Pangkajene River on Saturday, December 27, 2025 at around 08.40 WITA to the destination of Sarappo Island.
However, on the way in the middle of the sea at around 10.50 WITA, heavy rain accompanied by strong winds hit the wooden ship, making it sway until the captain of the ship was unable to keep up and then overturned in the sea.
Fortunately, the residents of Sarappo Lompo Island immediately moved to evacuate using a jolloro boat (traditional boat) to the victims who died or survived in the middle of the sea.
Three ship passengers were identified as Imran (LKC Coordinator of Dompet Dhuafa), Liukang Tupabbiring District Head Muhammad Fitri Mubarak and Sarappo Island Midwife Darma were declared dead.
Meanwhile, the eight passengers who managed to survive were the LKC Dompet Dhuafa team of Andi Mappasallang, Etty Permatasari, Siti Patimah, Nurlina and Wulan Cahya. Furthermore, dentist Nova, Head of the Sarappo Samiang Health Center and the captain and owner of the ship, Daeng Nasru.
Andi Sultan said all passengers on the doomed ship had been evacuated to Pangkajene and would be taken to Makassar. "All passengers have been found," he said briefly.
Meanwhile, Pangkep Regent Yusran Lalogau through his press release conveyed his deep condolences over the incident that befell the victims in the social mission to deliver assistance on Sarappo Island.
"On behalf of the Pangkajene and Kepulauan Regency Government, we express our deepest condolences for this disaster. Innalilahi wa innailahi rajiun," he said.
Previously, BMKG launched extreme weather conditions that hit parts of South Sulawesi as well as in the waters around the local area. In addition, the appeal for maritime transport activities was temporarily postponed.
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