Hundreds Of Volunteers Help Search For 10 Missing Victims Due To Flash Floods In Humbahas

A total of 535 volunteers were dispatched in the search for victims due to flash floods and landslides that occurred in Silmagulampe Village, Humbang Husundutan Regency, North Sumatra (ANTARA/HO-Humas North Sumatra Provincial Government)

MEDAN - Head of the Medan City Search and Rescue Office (Basarnas) Budiono said as many as 535 volunteers were deployed in the search operation for 10 missing victims due to flash floods and landslides in Silmagulampe Village, Humbang Husundutan Regency (Humbahas), North Sumatra (North Sumatra).

"The fourth day of the search operation involved at least 535 people from various agencies and organizations involved, which will later be divided into three SAR Rescue Units or SRUs," Budiono said as quoted by ANTARA, Tuesday, December 5.

He explained that the SRU I will conduct a search on the surface of the water using the Landig Craft Boat (LCB) Danaqua eye boat to detect the presence of victims in the water, as well as dives by the Basarnas Special Group (BSG) team.

"SRU II conducted a search using heavy excavator equipment and was accompanied by a rice fielding team in the road boundary area to the edge of the lake, and SRU III conducted a search using heavy excavator equipment and accompanied by a landing team in the road boundary area towards the hill. In addition, the team will also be assisted by sniffer dogs from the police," said Budiono.

On the fourth day, the joint SAR team also expanded the search for victims who are currently still missing after the flash floods and landslides that occurred on Friday (1/12) night.

"The joint SAR team is expanding the search for victims. Currently there are still 10 people who have been declared missing," said Budiono.

The joint SAR team deployed severalmountaineering equipment to maximize the search process because the rock material carried by the floods and landslides was quite difficult for officers to find victims.

The joint SAR team also deployed a drone unit equipped with temperature readers technology to conduct searches by air.

It is known that 12 people were reported missing due to the flash flood that hit Simangulampe Village, Baktiraja District, Humbahas Regency, and the joint team had found two victims dead.

"The victim, named Tiamin Boru Sinambela (78), a resident of Simangulempe Village, Bakti Raja District, was found at 10.0 WIB, Monday. While the other one, Boru Lubis was found at 11.25 Saturday," he said.