Missing Victim Of Fisherman On Baai Island Found Dead

Illustration of the SAR Team searching for missing persons at sea (ANTARA)

BENGKULU After a three-day intensive search, a joint team from the Bengkulu National Search and Rescue Agency (Basarnas) finally found the body of Muhammad Nuh (16), a teenager who was previously reported missing while shooting fish in the Lentera Merah area, Baai Island, Bengkulu City.

Muhammad Nuh was found dead at the coordinate point of 3 deg54'22.30 "S 102 deg17'4.48" E. The evacuation process was immediately carried out by the team and the victim's body was taken to the funeral home at the request of the family.

"The victim has been evacuated and taken to the funeral home according to the request of the victim's family," said Head of Basarnas Bengkulu, Muslikun Sodik, Monday, April 21, quoted from ANTARA.

This heartbreaking incident began on Saturday night, April 19, 2025, when three teenagers who were relatives of Muslim Nuh (16), Herdi (16), and Andika (12) ' went fishing and shot fish in the waters of Lentera Merah, Baai Island, at around 19.00 WIB.

However, until 21.00 WIB, two of them, namely Muhammad Nuh and Herdi, never appeared at sea level. Realizing that something was wrong, Andika, who managed to survive, immediately asked for help from local residents.

The joint SAR team was then deployed to the location to conduct a search. The search lasted throughout the night and finally, on Sunday morning at 02.00 WIB, Muhammad Nuh was found still alive. He floats in the sea with the help of the jerry can of oil he uses as an emergency floating device.

But fate said differently for Herdi. After further sweeping was carried out until the third day, Herdi's body was found lifeless.

The search process was carried out by combing the shoreline to the high seas using Basarnas' Rigid Buyancy Boat (RBB). In addition, supporting tools such as rubber boats, drones, D-max double cabins, communication pal and medical pal were also deployed to maximize SAR operations.

The search team consisted of various elements, including Basarnas, Police, TNI, Bengkulu City BPBD, Bengkulu KPP, Polairud Bengkulu Police, ASDP Baai Island Port, Bengkulu Lanal, and surrounding communities who helped voluntarily.

Muslikun expressed his gratitude for the cooperation and solidarity of all elements involved in the search process.

"We really appreciate the assistance and cohesiveness of the entire joint team and residents. Hopefully, the victim's family will be given fortitude for this tragedy," he concluded.

This case serves as a reminder of the importance of safety and prudence when doing activities at sea, especially at night and without adult supervision. Basarnas also appealed to the public to always use marine safety equipment, including buoys and emergency communications.

This tragedy adds to the long list of marine accidents that befell coastal communities who often depend on traditional marine activities such as fishing and fishing.