9 People From The Sole Teak Nusantara Group Disappeared In The Waves During A Ritual At Payangan Beach, Jember

The joint SAR team conducted a search for victims around Payangan Beach in Ambulu District, Jember Regency, Sunday (13/2/2022). (ANTARA/Hamka Agung)

JEMBER - As many as 20 people from the Tunggal Jati Nusantara Group were swept away by the current on Payangan Beach, Jember Regency, East Java, while holding a ritual activity on the south coast on Sunday, February 13 in the morning.

The group arrived at Payangan Beach by riding an Elf minibus and arrived at the south coast in Watu Ulo Hamlet, Sumberjo Village, Ambulu District on Saturday, February 12 evening.

"There were 24 people from the Solo Jati Nusantara Group who arrived at Payangan Beach on Saturday, February 12 at 23.00 WIB, but 20 people performed the ritual and four people were upstairs", said Ambulu Police Chief, AKP Makruf, when confirmed by telephone in Jember.

According to him, the management of Bukit Seroja or the north side of Payangan Beach had warned the group not to go to the beach, because of the big waves, but the group continued to perform rituals on the southern coast of Jember.

"Of the 20 people who were swept away by the current, some were found safe and dead. The joint SAR team continues to search for the missing victims carried by the sea currents south of Jember", he said.

Nine victims were reported missing as being swept away by the current, including Ida, a resident of Rambi Puji District; Pinkan, a resident of Rambi Puji District; Mrs. Bintang, a resident of Patrang District; Sofi, a resident of Sukorambi District; Ariska, a resident of Sukorambi District; Febri, a resident of Bondowoso Regency; Musni, a resident of Kaliwates District; Syaiful, a resident of Ajung District; and Yuli, residents of Panti District.

"All joint personnel was deployed to search for missing victims who were swept away by the current at Payangan Beach, Jember and managed to find several victims who were dead", he said.

Makruf said some of the victims who were found safe were immediately taken to the Ambulu Health Center for intensive treatment.