Second Day, Kendari Basarnas Still Looking For Missing Fishermen In South Buton Waters

Basarnas Team/ Photo: Antara

JAKARTA - The Kendari National Search and Rescue Agency (Basarnas) is searching for a fisherman, Aman Saleh (40) who was reported missing while at sea in the waters between Lande Sampolawa and Batu Atas Island, South Buton Regency, Southeast Sulawesi.

The head of the Kendari Basarnas Office, Aris Sofingi in Kendari, said the search for victims involved a joint SAR team.

"The operation to search for victims has now entered its second day involving joint elements," said Aris Sofingi, quoting Antara, Sunday, August 21.

The search operation for residents of Lande I Hamlet, Gerak Makmur Village, Sampolawa District, South Buton Regency involved a rescue team from the Baubau SAR Post, Lapandewa Police, Babinsa, local fishermen and the families of the victims.

He said the search for victims on the second day by the joint SAR Team had begun at 06.30 WITA by dividing into two teams.

"Team 1 using RIB conducted a search around the last location where the victim was reported missing with a radius of 5 nautical miles to the west. Team 2 used a 'longboat' to search for Batu Atas Island," he explained.

On Tuesday (17/8) at 04.00 WITA, the victim went out to sea using a GT 1 long boat with a diesel engine or crank. The victim reportedly did not bring food supplies.

The victim's habit of at most one day had returned, but never returned. The family tried to search but to no avail.

The incident was reported to the Kendari Basarnas on Saturday (20/8) by the Lapandewa Police Chief named Herman, so a search operation was carried out.