JAKARTA - The joint SAR team said one of three fishermen was found dead after the boat they were riding in sank in the waters of Kawaliwu, East Flores Regency, East Nusa Tenggara (NTT).
"One victim managed to survive and the other two were found dead in the incident of a boat that overturned due to the impact of high waves," said Head of the Maumere SAR Office Fathur Rahman confirmed from Kupang, Friday, quoted by Antara.
This incident was previously reported by a resident named Maxi Riangkotek to Basarnas on Thursday, March 12 at around 22.00.
Based on the information received, three fishermen set out to fish using a boat on March 12, 2026 at around 17.30 WITA around Kawaliwu Beach. The incident occurred in the waters with the suspected location of the incident at coordinates 8°16'15.52"S–122°52'27.39"E.
Around 18.00 WITA, the sampan they were using was overturned by high waves and strong currents.
Local residents who were around the location immediately carried out rescue efforts and managed to save one victim on behalf of Yuven Koten (38).
Meanwhile, two other victims were reported missing and needed search assistance from the SAR team.
At 23.00 WITA, the team on the ground reported that one person was found dead, on behalf of Alfred Koten (40) with the location of the discovery approximately 400 meters from the scene of the crime.
"The operation continued on the second day, March 13, 2026," he said.
He said that on the second day of the search operation, at 06.00 WITA, the joint SAR team carried out an operational briefing and immediately conducted a search around the scene using a Kansar Maumere rubber boat.
The SAR team began carrying out a search around the LKK by conducting a search on the surface of the sea using a 30 PK Kansar Maumere rubber boat.
Around 09.30 WITA, the SAR team found one victim named Alex Koten (46) in a dead condition at the coordinates 8°16'53.89"S–122°53'9.35"E or about 1.9 kilometers south of the incident location. After that, the victim was evacuated to the Lewolema Health Center for further treatment.
"The next SAR operation is proposed to be closed and all elements involved are returned to their respective units," said Fathur.
The search operation involved joint SAR elements from Kansar Maumere, TNI AL Larantuka Post, Larantuka Police Polair, KSOP Larantuka, BPBD Larantuka, as well as fishermen and local people.
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