Saparua Maluku Residents Found Dead In Floods

MALUKU - A resident of Talital Hamlet, Negeri Tiouw, Saparua District, Central Maluku Regency, Maluku, was found dead after he slipped into the water and was dragged away by floods on Monday, July 11.

"The victim named Mrs. Johana M. Putuhena (56) who fell into the river while with her husband Roberth Sopia (57) was about to see their plants in the garden," said Head of Public Relations of Ambon Island Police and PP Lease, Ipda Moyo Utomo in Ambon, quoted as saying from Antara, Wednesday 13 July.

Initially, the family had reminded the victim not to leave the house because of the heavy rain that continued to pour, but the victim insisted on going to their garden so that she was accompanied by her husband.

According to him, on the way to the garden and through the river, the victim slipped and fell, then there was an attempt to help from her husband, but due to the heavy flow of the river coupled with high rainfall, the victim was carried away by the flow of the river.

The victim's husband immediately sought help from local residents along with members of the Saparua Police and Tiow State Babinsa to carry out search and rescue efforts.

"When found, the victim was already lifeless after being carried away by the flood and then stuck on a rock behind the SMP Negeri 13 Porto," said Moyo Utomo.

From the results of the medical examination, on the victim's body there were torn wounds due to impact on the temples along the 10 cm.

The victim's family refused to do an autopsy and the police asked the family to make a statement refusing the autopsy.