SAR Team Still Searching For Missing Farmer Suspected Of Falling In Tabanan River

PHOTO: BASARNAS BALI

TABANAN - The joint SAR team conducted a search for I Made Toka (80) who went missing while going to the rice fields.

The incident occurred in Banjar Bantas, Panarukan Village, Kerambitan District, Tabanan Regency, Bali, Tuesday, February 15.

The head of the Denpasar Search and Rescue Office, Gede Darmada, said the 80-year-old grandfather left home to go to the rice fields. But until last night he never arrived home.

"One resident we are looking for is I Made Toka, who works as a farmer every day," said Darmada.

The Bali Basarnas office dispatched five rescuers from the Jimbaran office to the location at 08.50 WITA. Based on the reports obtained, I Made Toka initially left home on Monday, February 14 afternoon.

There was not a single eye witness who saw the incident, but it is suspected that the victim fell into the river.

"Indeed he said he would go to the rice fields and the position of the rice fields was close to the Tukat Pancoran River, while it is suspected that I Made Toka slipped and fell into the river," said Darmada.

SAR personnel who were dispatched also brought diving equipment. Arriving at the location, the team immediately coordinated with the relevant SAR elements to plan a dive around the location where the victim was suspected of being.

Personnel who participated in the search said the depth of the river was about 5-8 meters with cloudy water conditions.

"Three Basarnas Bali rescuers with diving equipment were dispatched and carried out alternate searches. However, the joint SAR team has not been able to find the person concerned," said Darmada.