TERNATE - The Ternate Search and Rescue Office received a report of a life-threatening condition for a resident who had not returned from the sea and was allegedly bitten by a crocodile on the coast of the waters of Gitaraja Village, Tidore City, Islands.
Head of Operations and Standby Section of the Ternate SAR Office, Ferdinando J. Rugebret, explained that the incident began on Sunday at around 19.30 WIT.
The victim named Mahmud Kasim went alone to the coast of Gita Beach carrying a fish arrow (jubi) and a flashlight to fish.
"The victim left at night to fish around the coast. However, until the next day he had not returned home," said Ferdinando in Ternate, Antara, Monday, February 23.
The report was received on Monday at 12.05 WIT from the Head of the Dama Port (Kanpel), Jufri Adam. Following up on the information, the rescue team was immediately dispatched to the scene with sea SAR equipment and evacuation equipment.
Previously, the worried family had conducted a self-search around the location where the victim usually went fishing. In that effort, the victim's equipment in the form of fishing arrows and flashlights, as well as dozens of fish caught were found. However, the victim was not found at the location.
The findings strengthen the suspicion that the victim experienced an incident around the waters. Local residents suspect that the victim was attacked by a crocodile, considering that the coast of Gitaraja is known as a habitat for wildlife.
The community of Gitaraja Village, together with their families, including the victim's wife, also carried out searches in the waters and on the beach. After the independent search did not produce results, the family reported the incident to the Ternate SAR Office to ask for help.
In the search operation, a number of elements were involved, including Basarnas Ternate, BPBD Tidore Islands City, local police, the victim's family, and the community of Gitaraja Village.
The SAR team appealed to residents who are active in coastal and water areas to increase vigilance, especially at night, given the potential presence of crocodiles in a number of water points in the Oba area and its surroundings.
"Search operations will continue to be carried out while taking into account weather conditions and the safety of all personnel involved," said Ferdinando.
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