Search SAR Operation For Longsor Victims Of The Natuna Serasan Officially Stopped Today

Illustration: The Joint SAR Team during the evacuation of flood victims in Pamggalan Village, Serasan, Riau Islands some time ago. (ANTARA/Cherman)

KEPRI - SAR operations to search for landslide victims in Serasan District, Natuna Regency, Riau Islands Province (Kepri), were officially suspended today, Sunday, March 19.

The Regent of Natuna, who is also the Commander of the Joint Disaster Response Team for Serasan and East Serasan, Wan Siswandi, said the search was stopped after a 13-day search operation since Monday, March 6.

"We apologize profusely to the families of all victims, if our efforts are not maximized. However, we have tried to do all the things we can do. To the families of the victims who have not been found, once again we apologize if the family can be sincere," said the Natuna Regent in Serasan, Sunday 19 March.

The Regent of Natuna also thanked all the joint SAR Teams who have worked hard to search and rescue since the incident until the last day of the SAR operation was carried out on Saturday, March 18.

"Thank you to the whole team and to all residents, when during our time in Serasan there were shortcomings we also apologized," said Regent Wan Siswandi.

During the search, 50 victims were found and 4 people were still missing. Search efforts were carried out by deploying a number of heavy equipment, drones, and K-9 which deployed 6 dogs.

"No less than 700 personnel who are members of the Joint SAR element have made efforts to search and evacuate," said Head of the Natuna Search and Rescue Office (Basarnas) Abdul Rahman.

Regarding the victims who have not been found, the family claimed to have accepted it. "Yesterday together with the Natuna Regent, the Commander of Kodim 0318 Natuna, the Chief Executive of the Natuna BPBD and the Serasan Sub-district Head were present at a mediation held at one of the evacuation posts in Pempak Village," he said.

Abdul Rahman expressed his condolences for the tragedy that occurred and apologized if the search and rescue efforts were not maximized.

He also said that although the SAR operation had been stopped, Basarnas would continue to monitor it through members of the Serasan SAR Alert Unit.

"With the end of the Search and Rescue Operation (SAR Operation) on the 13th day and through the results of a joint agreement, the official Search Operation for Longsor victims in Serasan will be closed. Furthermore, monitoring and coordination will be carried out with all related elements in Serasan," said Abdul.