Teenager Drowning On Melawai Beach Balikpapan Found Dead

The SAR team while searching for children drowning in Balikpapan waters (ANTARA/HO SAR Balikpapan)

The joint SAR team found a teenager drowned on Melawai Beach, Balikpapan, East Kalimantan (Kaltim), in a state of death.

The victim was named M Rasyid Al Fauzi, 14 years old, a resident of Jalan Soekarno Hatta KM 3, Batu Ampar Village, North Balikpapan District, Balikpapan City.

"As soon as the victim was found at Melawai Beach, the team immediately evacuated and handed over the victim to the family through the local apparatus," said Balikpapan City National Search and Rescue Agency (Basarnas) Commander Dwi Adi Wibowo in Balikpapan, Sunday, as reported by Antara.

Previously, on Saturday, October 18, it was reported that a teenager drowned at 10:00 WITA. The incident began when the victim and 13 of his friends left for the beach. Some of the group came from school, and some were close friends to the victim's house.

While on the beach, the children started playing ball. Four of them, including the victim, decided to take a shower while playing at sea.

While playing in the sea water, Rasyid was suddenly carried away by a fairly heavy ocean current. In an effort to save the victim, one of his friends named Rizki, had pulled the victim's shoulder. However, Rizki's efforts to help were unsuccessful, the victim was still carried away by the current and drowned.

He explained, before being found, the joint SAR team conducted a search through sweeping in the waters and monitoring from the ground. After a two-day search effort (since Saturday), finally on Sunday 19 October at 10.47 WITA, the victim was found dead.

In carrying out this operation, the elements involved consisted of the Balikpapan Basarnas, the Balikpapan Regional Disaster Management Agency (BPBD), the Navy, Polair Polres, Sabhara Polres, Semayang Police, Balikpapan Babinsa City, SAR volunteers, and the surrounding community.

"Thank you, we convey to all elements involved, both government agencies and volunteers, for very good cooperation and synergy in the field. Maximum efforts have been made since the beginning of the report received," said Adi Wibowo.

He also appealed to the public to be more careful when doing activities in water areas, especially in coastal areas that do not have special supervision, especially for the safety of life is a top priority.