2 Lost Bintan Fisherman Found Safe

TANJUNGPINANG - Two fishermen who lost contact while catching fish using a wooden boat/pompong in the waters between Batu Putih and Berakit Bintan, Riau Islands, have been found safe.

"Alhamdulillah, both of them have been found safe and sound," said Head of the Tanjung Pinang SAR Office, Slamet Riyadi, quoted by Antara, Tuesday, May 10.

He said the two fishermen, Saifudin and Rudolfus Roka, were found in the waters of Mata Ikan Nongsa Bay, Batam, by local fishermen who happened to be crossing the waters, around 11.00 WIB Tuesday.

The information for the two victims was found to have been received from Asheng, the owner of the pompong boat used by Saifudin and Roka to catch fish. After that, six Tanjung Pinang SAR personnel immediately went to the scene to check on the victim's condition.

Based on the victim's statement, the pompong boat they were using had its engine damaged so that they drifted and were carried by the current to Batam waters. "With the discovery of the victim in a safe and healthy condition, the search and rescue operations for marine accidents are officially closed," Hadi said.

He explained that the two fishermen from Sungai Kecil Bintan were reported to have lost contact after leaving for fishing at around 16.00 WIB on Sunday (8/5).

They received the report from the village head of Sebong Lagoi Adi, at around 21.00 WIB Monday (9/5).

Furthermore, the joint SAR team including the Tanjung Pinang SAR Office, Bintan Police, Navy, BPBD, Tagana Bintan, HNSI Bintan, and the local community immediately searched for them for approximately two days.