7 Migrant Workers Victims Of Tanker Ships Stranded In The Malacca Strait Evacuated By SAR TEAM

Illustration. The joint SAR team evacuated the bodies of two victims of the overflow of the Barumun River, Padang Lawas, North Sumatra, since Sunday, July 14. (ANTARA)

The joint SAR team evacuated seven Indonesian Migrant Workers (PMI) who were stranded for four days due to the accident of the TTC Tanker Vishaka in the waters of the Malacca Strait. Head of the Medan Class A Search and Rescue Office Mustari said the evacuation using a fleet of seas was carried out after receiving the report. "The Joint SAR team arrived at the pick-up coordinates at 00.10 WIB then immediately evacuated the seven workers, of whom six people survived and one person died, the team arrived at Belawan Harbor at around 03.30 WIB," Mustari said in his statement, on July 10, confiscated by Antara.

The rescue operation involved Basarnas, TNI AL, Polairud, KSOP, Belawan Port Health, Belawan Immigration, fishing organization and Malaysian authorities.

He explained that the unfortunate incident began when a ship carrying seven passengers and two crew members of the ship sank, allegedly rolled by waves in the middle of the sea right in the waters of the Malacca Strait which is still in Malaysian waters.

Because of this incident, nine passengers of the wooden ship were adrift for four days in the waters of the Malacca Strait before being rescued by the Vishaka TTC Tanker which was passing on the Malaysia route to Bangladesh.

"Initially, nine victims suspected of being migrant workers were returning to Indonesia from Malaysia. Of the nine people, six of them were evacuated safely and one person died and two more have not been found," he said.

He explained that the victims who were successfully evacuated had been handed over to the Health Office of Belawan Port and Belawan Immigration for further handling.

"This is the result of extraordinary cooperation between various parties. We are grateful that six Indonesian migrant workers were successfully evacuated safely and in good condition," he said.

According to him, this operation shows the importance of good readiness and coordination in handling emergency situations at sea.

"The presence of the Medan Basarnas in this operation shows our commitment in the operation to rescue and evacuate Indonesian citizens wherever they are. We will continue to improve our readiness and ability to deal with similar situations in the future," he said.