Five Fishermen Missing In Rote Waters

The team that conducted the search for the missing fisherman/Antara

JAKARTA - Five fishermen from Papela, Rote Ndao Regency, East Nusa Tenggara were reported missing while searching for fish in Indonesia-Australia border waters.

"We received a report from rote Ndao residents that a motorboat with five fishermen had an engine failure while searching for fish in the waters south of Rote Ndao", said Kupang Class A Search and Rescue Office Head Emi Frizer when contacted in Kupang, reported Antara, Tuesday, May 11.

According to a report from Rote Ndao resident Bayu Laduma, the motorboat with five fishermen set out to fish on May 7, 2021.

The fishermen wanted to fish in the territorial waters bordering Indonesia and Australia.

He said after searching for fish on Monday, May 10, the five fishermen were about to return to Papela. However, on the way, the motorboat they were used in was damaged and lost contact estimated at a location of 11°11'09.70"S-122°49'37.37"E.

"On the way back to Rote about 20 Nm from the south of Rote Island the ship experienced engine failure and the ship drifted in the ocean south of Rote and lost contact", said Emi Friezer.

The SAR team from Kupang Class A Search and Rescue Office using the Intereja State Ship immediately moved to the location on Monday, May 10, night, to conduct a search and rescue.

"The search operation conducted by the joint SAR team is still being conducted. We hope the five fishermen are found soon", he said.