3 Hours Of Search, Joint SAR Team Finds Victims Drowning In The Front River Of Tjilik Riwut Airport

Photo Illustration: IST

The joint SAR team managed to find one body that was dragged by the river current in front of Tjilik Riwut Airport, Palangka Raya, Central Kalimantan (Central Kalimantan).

"The joint SAR team searched for residents who were victims by walking along the river. The team managed to find the victim dead," said Head of the Palangka Raya Search and Rescue Office (Basarnas) AA Ketut Alit Supartana, Sunday, March 3.

In the search, the joint SAR team, he said, followed the river using a rubber boat for almost three hours. The victim was found about three kilometers from the location dragged by the river current.

The derasing of river currents and the unclear water conditions are also separate obstacles for officers and rescue teams.

He revealed that the joint SAR team consisted of Tjilik Riwut Airport Officers, Palangka Raya City Koramil, Pahandut Police, Palangka Raya Forestry Service, Tjilik Riwut Airport BPK, Palangka Raya City BPBD, ERP, BPK Putra Pahandut, Lazismu, and other potential SAR.

Ketut said that initially the Basarnas team received a disaster report in the category of dangerous conditions for humans from GM Angkasa Pura II at Tjilik Riwut Ardha Airport.

"In response to the report, the Palangka Raya Search and Rescue Office immediately sent a search and rescue team (SRU)," he said.

Based on the information obtained, he said, at that time the victim was cleaning up trash in irrigation under the Tjilik Riwut Airport bridge. However, due to the swift current of the river, the victim was then dragged by the current and disappeared.

"With the discovery of the victim, the SAR operation is closed and the SAR elements involved can return to their respective units," said Ketut.

The public is also asked to be vigilant and careful when carrying out certain activities, especially those with high potential for disasters, such as being dragged by river currents.