Find Rafflesia, 8 Students In Bukittinggi Trapped In Patamuan River, Lucky For Sigap Rescue Team

Rescue teams evacuate eight students trapped in a river in Ngarai Sianok, West Sumatra. (AMONG)

SUMBAR - Rescue teams from the Regional Disaster Management Agency, Disaster Preparedness Cadets, Civil Service Police Unit, and the Indonesian Red Cross in Bukittinggi City, West Sumatra Province, evacuated eight students trapped in the Patamuan River in Sianok Gorge on Sunday at around 02.00 WIB.

"Initially they went to bathe with a group of 21 people and left Saturday morning, but after 13 people returned home, these eight children still wanted to look for Rafflesia until they were finally caught by the river current," said Bukittinggi Regional Disaster Management Agency Officer Reynaldo in Bukittinggi, Between, Sunday, January 9th.

According to him, these young people from Pintu Kabun Village, Mandiangin Koto Selayan District, had contacted their colleagues who had arrived home when they had difficulty on their way home.

"The local community, who learned about this information, immediately tried to save the victims, but because of the weather and steep roads, they contacted the rescue team," said Reynaldo.

The rescue team found the students on the Patamuan River, Ngarai Sianok Panorama Baru and evacuated them through the Taman Salak tourist park, Ngarai Lumpuah Panorama Baru.

"The road to their location was trapped slippery and steep, it took time and sufficient equipment to get to the location and bring the victim to a safe location," said Reynaldo.

"Some of the victims who are underage have to be carried on a stretcher by the team because they are physically weak and cold," he added.

The students who were successfully evacuated by the rescue team included Zaki (15), Gani (15), Abdul (20), Fajar (20), Agung (16), Raja (14), Pajri (14), and Rahit (16).

The Mayor of Bukittinggi, Erman Safar, accompanied by BPBD officials and the Civil Service Police Unit, gave directions to officers in the evacuation process.

"Alhamdulillah, all of them were rescued. We still prioritize the safety of the officers in this humanitarian movement, hopefully it is worth worshiping," said Erman Safar.