Missing Fishermen In Buton Waters Found Dead, Basarnas Leaves The Victim's Body To The Family

Photo: Doc. Antara/Basarnas Kendari

The joint SAR team found a fisherman named Mustafa (31) who was reported missing while fishing in the waters of Labuan, North Buton Regency, Southeast Sulawesi, in a state of death.

Head of Basarnas Kendari Aris Sofingi said the victim was found by the joint SAR team on the second day of the search operation.

"At 06.00 WITA, the joint SAR team continued the search for victims on the second day. The team managed to find the victim but was dead at 07.10 WITA," he said, quoted by Antara, Saturday, December 24.

He conveyed that the rescue team of the Muna SAR Alert Unit together with the joint SAR team found the victim's body floating on the water about 0.77 nautical miles from the location where the victim was reported missing.

The victim's body was then evacuated to the Labuan ferry port, North Buton to be handed over to the family in Lagasa Village, Duruka District, Muna Regency.

"With the discovery of the victim, the SAR operation was declared complete and closed. All elements involved were returned to their respective units," said Aris.

The second day of search for victims involved elements of the Muna SAR Alert Unit Rescue Team, Wakorumba Police, North Polairud Buton, Babinsa Labuan Bajo Village, the families of the victims and the surrounding community.

Mustafa was previously reported to have went to sea around the waters of Labuan, North Buton Regency on Friday (12/23) at around 04.00 WITA with four of his colleagues, namely Mardin, Hakim, Firman and Said.

The victims went to sea using their respective long boats to fish around the waters of Labuan. However, at 07.00 WITA there was bad weather where the wind and strong waves caused the victim to fall from his boat.

The incident was reported to Basarnas by a colleague of the victim named Mardin. The Kendari Basarnas who received the report immediately dispatched a rescue team from the Muna SAR Alert Unit.