The Swiss SAR Team Explains The Topography Of The Aare River To Ridwan Kamil, Promises Searching For Eril Is A Priority

Indonesian Ambassador to Switzerland Muliaman Hadad

JAKARTA - The search for Eril, the son of West Java Governor Ridwan Kamil, who disappeared while swimming in the Aare River, Bern, Switzerland, will continue using the diving method. Eril's search will take priority.

The new effort will be carried out on the third day of the search on Saturday, May 28, after previously the local SAR team used drones equipped with thermal drones, boats and land vehicles to search the banks of the Aare River.

"Of course, diving is adjusted to the situation because if the water is cloudy from rain or melted snow, it can make diving difficult," said Indonesian Ambassador to Switzerland Muliaman Hadad, in an online press conference, Saturday, May 28.

He explained that at the time of the incident, the water temperature in the river was around 16 degrees Celsius with relatively cloudy water.

“The water comes from melted snow so the temperature is relatively cold. Usually there are white crystals that make the color of the water cloudy," he said.

Nevertheless, Muliaman and his family have obtained a commitment from the Swiss authorities to make the search for Eril, as Emmeril is known, a priority.

"Me and Governor Ridwan Kamil met with the SAR team yesterday. They are very professional. The Governor asked a lot of technical questions, and was given an overview of the topography of the river, the strength of river currents, and so on so that we can estimate the possible spots," he said.

Eril was reported missing because he was swept away by the current while swimming in the Aare River on Thursday (26/5) at around 09.40 a.m. Swiss time (14.40 p.m. Indonesian Time).

When trying to rise to the surface, Eril, who was swimming with his sister and friends, was dragged by a fairly swift current and was declared missing until this news was revealed.

The search for Eril was immediately carried out by the relevant authorities, namely the police, medical police, river police, and firefighters.

However, until Saturday morning the search had yielded no results. The local SAR team will continue the search in an 8 kilometer area around the Aare River, and will continue to coordinate with the Indonesian Embassy in Bern.