SAR Team Finds Students Drowning In Kahayan River, Palangka Raya

Basarnas and other joint teams evacuated the bodies of students who were found drowned in the Kahayan River, Monday (28/3/2023). BETWEEN/Personal Documentation

PALANGKA RAYA - Palangka Raya National Search and Rescue Agency (Basarnas), Central Kalimantan and other joint teams found a student who was declared drowned in the Kahayan River in a floating condition.

The Field Coordinator of the Palangka Raya Basarnas, Riwut Cahyo Susanto, said the victim, named Samsudin (14), was a student of SMPN-8 Palangka Raya before being declared drowned in the Kahayan River on Sunday (27/8) afternoon.

"His body has been found by a joint SAR operation team with floating conditions. The body was found floating about 500 meters from the scene," Riwut said as quoted by ANTARA, Monday, August 28.

He said the victim who lived on Jalan Temanggung Tilung was found by a joint team at around 16.20 WIB. When found the condition or condition was indeed dead. After finding the person concerned, he was immediately evacuated to the mainland.

"We are sorry. We also ask the public to be more careful, if they cannot swim, don't force them. Prioritize safety and hopefully similar incidents will not happen again," he said.

Meanwhile, the parents of the victim Yardi (53) expressed their gratitude for the assistance of the joint team until the child was found, even in unwanted conditions.

"Thank you for those who helped," he said in a sad tone.

Yardi, who works as a serial officer in Palangka Raya City, said that his son's daily life is normal, he never asks for anything. He also learned about the news that his son drowned after the Maghrib call to prayer when the children came to report the matter.

"He said yesterday he wanted to study the group, instead he deviated here (under the Kahayan Bridge). Goodbye at 14.30 WIB, actually the victim could swim a little," he said.