South Sulawesi Basarnas Stop Searches For Land Land Victims At Jeneponto

The Joint SAR Team evacuated the bodies of landslide victims in Loka Village who were found downstream of the Kelara River, Jeneponto Regency, South Sulawesi, Sunday (16/10/2022). (Between)

JAKARTA - The South Sulawesi National Search and Rescue Agency (Basarnas) team together with the Joint SAR Team officially closed the SAR operation after finding the bodies of the three landslide victims downstream of the Kelara River on a three-day search in Loka Village, Jeneponto Regency.

"With all the victims found, the search operation process was stopped and closed," said Head of the South Sulawesi Basarnas Office, Djunaidi when confirmed by Antara, Sunday.

For the search process on the third day of landslide victims in Loka Village, Rumbia District, Jeneponto Regency, he said, it was focused on sweeping along the downstream river until finally a third victim was found.

"It is suspected that the victim was swept away by the current when he was hit by a landslide. The body was immediately evacuated to the Lanto Daeng Pasewang Jeneponto hospital before being handed over to the family," he said.

The identity of the third victim, known as Sangkala, is 56 years old, found downstream of the river 15 kilometers from the location of the landslide, dead.

Previously, the first victim had been found on behalf of Takku (59) on the first day of the search, Friday (14/10) about 300 meters from the location of the landslide. Meanwhile, the second victim on behalf of Wahyu (30) was found on the second day of the search, Saturday (15/10) about 19 kilometers from the avalanche site.

Djunaidi also expressed his gratitude to all elements who are members of the Joint SAR Team for their three-day dedication to carrying out the search operation for the three victims of the landslide disaster in Jeneponto.

"We also express our deep condolences to the three families who were victims. We also urge the public to remain careful in their activities, especially when heavy rains avoid locations prone to landslides and flash floods," he added.

Separately, Kelara Police Chief Iptu Sukhardi, said he received information on the discovery of limbs in the form of pieces of legs in the Kelara River, Kelara District. It is suspected that it was part of the organ of a landslide victim in Loka Village, Rumbia District before the victim's body was found.

"The evacuation was assisted by the community together with the Joint SAR Team. It is suspected that the leg was from a landslide victim in Loka Village on Friday, October 14, 2022. Then he was taken to the hospital for post-mortem and identification," he said.