NTT Fisherman Shipwreck Rescued To Hospital In Australia

Three fishermen from NTT drifting in the sea/Photo: Antara

KUPANG - One of three fishermen from Rote Ndao Regency, NTT, Riki Balu who was found safe after the Seahorse ship sank in the waters of Pasir island, was rushed to the Royal Perth Hospital in Perth Australia due to unconsciousness.

Acting Consular Function of the Consulate of the Republic of Indonesia in Darwin, Yulius Mada Kaka, said Riki is still being treated in intensive care at the hospital because he is still critical.

"Meanwhile, two other friends who were in good health this morning were picked up by officers from Darwin and are currently on their way to Darwin and are targeted to arrive in Darwin on Tuesday, March 22 tomorrow", he said in Kupang, Monday, March 21.

Yulius said that Riki Balu, who is currently being treated at the Royal Perth Hospital, was picked up by helicopter after officers saw that the fisherman from Rote was unconscious.

At first officers from Australia wanted to take Riki to one of the Broome islands in western Australia to get help.

However, after being treated at a hospital on the island, the local doctor said he couldn't do anything about it so he was immediately taken back by helicopter to Perth for treatment.

Meanwhile, said Yulius, the two colleagues from Riki Balu who are now on their way to Darwin are targeted to arrive at 10:00 local time.

Later after arriving in Darwin, both of them will be processed to be returned from Australia to Indonesia, while looking at the health of both of them.

For coordination, he said, his party is also currently still maintaining communication with the Kupang SAR to search for the nine fishermen who are still missing after their boat sank in the waters of the sand island.