Fisherman Who Disappeared In Penajam Is Found Dead

Evacuation of missing fishermen in Penajam (Photo: Antara)

JAKARTA - Fisherman from Penajam Paser Utara Regency (PPU), East Kalimantan Province, M Zainal (25), was found dead half-floating in the middle of the sea, about 1 mile from the shoreline.

Head of Emergency and Logistics BPBD PPU, Nurlaila, said the location of the fishermen's disappearance was around the PT PHKT Rig, the marine area of Nenang Village and Kampung Baru Village, District.

Initially, M Zainal as usual was alone looking for fish at the PHKT Rig. The victim departed from the Sesumpu River alone using a six-board fishing boat.

The routine of the victim is to leave at 07.00 am then return to Sesumpu Pier at 13.00 noon. However, last Thursday Zainal did not return until after 13.00 local time.

Knowing this, at 3:00 p.m. local time, Tajudin, who usually bought the fish or crab brought by Zainal, then with his fellow fishermen in Sesumpu, went to sea to search.

They then stated that Zainal was missing and reported to the officers, after at 5:00 pm local time Zainal's boat was found in an area quite far from the location Zainal usually used to fish.

Based on this report, the PPU BPBD Pusdalops will coordinate with the victims' families and related parties, including the Balikpapan BPBD, Sesumpu Village Head and residents.

This morning, continued Nurlaila, the search was again carried out by several parties using 20 boats, such as fishermen, the Balikpapan Transportation Service, Balikpapan Police Satpol Air, PPU Police Satpol Air, PPU Navy Post.

The farthest search was carried out within a radius of 2 miles, while the victim was found between Boring Laut and PT PHKT Rig, about 1 mile from the shoreline, not far from the location where the victim was looking for fish.

"At around 9:30 a.m., the Sesumpu fisherman on behalf of Alyas found the victim half floating. Then Alyas called another fisherman friend, then the victim was evacuated to the funeral home in RT 02, Sesumpu Village," said Nurlaila.