11-Year-Old Boy Looking For Fish In Maluku Allegedly Eaten By Crocodiles, Officers Conduct Search

The police helped search for a missing boy allegedly eaten by a crocodile, in South Buru. (ANTARA/Winda Herman)

JAKARTA - A boy named Fiki Bantam (11), allegedly eaten by a crocodile while looking for fish with his father and friends in the waters of Air Tanani, Oki Baru Village, South Buru (Bursel), Maluku on Saturday, March 8 evening.

"Until now, the victim has not been found, and the search is still ongoing, including with traditional ceremonies," said Bursel Police Chief AKBP M. Agung Gumilar in Ambon, Tuesday, March 11, quoted by Antara.

The incident occurred at around 22.00 WIT. At that time, Fiki and his father, Sarfin Bantam and a friend, Onyong Bone (11), went to the beach to look for fish using the Bamethy method (catch fish when the water recedes).

On the way home, the victim's father asked them not to stop again. However, Fiki and Onyong were seen moving towards Air Tanani. Not long after, Onyong screamed and ran away in fear, while Fiki shouted, "Father, please!" before he was pulled into the water.

Sarfin, who arrived at the location, only found his son's head flashlight on the sand. He saw Fiki still appeared on the surface of the water, but then his body was pulled in by something suspected of being a crocodile.

For about 10 minutes, Sarfin tried to call and pray for his son to be released, but only a bubble of water was visible until it finally disappeared near the sago tree.

After that, Sarfin returned home to tell his wife, Siti Hajar Nurlatu, before they and the residents returned to the location to conduct a search.

The next day, Sunday, March 9 at 10.30 WIT, the police went to the location, led by Namrole Police Chief AKP Bobby Harta Setiadi along with Bripka Gatot (Bhabinkamtibmas Oki Baru Village) and two other members.

In addition to the search by the police and residents, the traditional fire ceremony was also carried out by the Latbual clan's extended family as the owner of the Air Tanani arrangement. The procession was led by Abu Latbual and Arsad Latbual in the hope that the victim could be found. However, until now, the results are still nil.

"The search will continue by involving the families of the victims, the village government, and the local community. Currently, Bhabinkamtibmas, the victim's father, as well as the acting village head and several staff are still at the scene to monitor developments," he said.

He emphasized that this case is a warning to the community around the waters of Air Tanani and other areas in South Buru to be more vigilant when doing activities in the waters, especially at night. "The presence of crocodiles in the area needs to be anticipated for the safety of residents," said the Police Chief.

Authorities and the public hope that the victim will be found soon, both in a safe and dead condition to provide certainty for the bereaved family.