Six People Died In Accident In Tanjung Burang Waters, Southeast Maluku

PHOTO ARCHIVES - The Ambon Basarnas SAR team, Maluku, Tuesday (30/11/2021) stopped the search operation after finding the body of a fisherman who had drowned at a depth of 25 meters. (PHOTO ANTARA/Daniel)

AMBON - Basarnas stated that as many as six people died in a marine accident due to the sinking of the Rajawali longboat in Tanjung Burang waters, Southeast Maluku Regency, Maluku Province on Monday, February 21.

"Most of the victims who died were elderly and plus a toddler, a girl aged between six and eight years," said Head of the Ambon Basarnas Search and Rescue Office, Mustari in Ambon, as reported by Antara, Tuesday, February 22.

He explained that the five dead victims who had been identified were Oinar Uar Husin (72), Mboisiti Rumra (88), Tajali Salamun (66), Suryati Fer (70), Sunday Renel (70), while the identity of one toddler girl was unknown.

Basarnas discovered this ship accident after receiving information from a resident named Memet (39) who is a resident of Ohoi Banda Efruan, Kei Besar Utara Timur District.

He explained that on Monday, February 21 at around 07.15 WIT, the longboat carrying 25 people, including the captain, departed from Watdek, Tual City for Banda Eli Village, Kei Besar Utara Timur (Malra) District.

However, upon arrival in Tanjung Burang waters at around 14.40 WIT, the longboat was hit by high waves estimated at around 3-4 meters accompanied by strong winds so that water entered from the front and sides until it finally sank.

The joint SAR team uses KN. The Baharata SAR at the Tual Archipelago Fishery Port, South Dullah District immediately carried out search efforts and evacuated 19 other survivors.

Participated in the rescue activity for the Head of the Sar Post Headquarters Tual Rusdianto and a crew of 10 SAR ships, Captain Bakamla Helwan Andriansya and three members of Bakamla Tual, Aipda. M. Besan and one member of Polairud Tual, member of the Intel Unit Lanal Serka Amin, Deninteldam XVI/Pattimura personnel Sertu Ari Agus M and the families of 42 victims. At 17.20 WIT, the victims who died were evacuated to Banda Eli Village, North Kei Besar District East for burial.

Then at 16.25 WIT, the joint SAR team departed with KN. SAR Baharara 242 from the Fishery Port of the Archipelago of Tual to the location of the incident with coordinates 5°15'786'' S 132°8'406''E, heading : 51° northeast of Tual City.

At 17.30 WIT, the joint SAR team arrived in the sea waters between Tual Island and Kei Besar Island, but due to high waves estimated to be between 4-5 meters so they could not continue their search and the team returned to Tual City.

Meanwhile, the newly identified survivors include Sharin Uar as the longboat captain/owner, Ndener Salamun, Kadir Sanmas, Babau Background, and Ahmat Tahatyanan, Mustari said.