5 People Still Missing, SAR Team Extends Search Operation For Longsor-Banjir Victims Of South Coast Bandang

Basarnas Padang personnel carried out a search and rescue operation for victims of natural disasters in Pesisir Selatan Regency, West Sumatra on Wednesday (13/3). ANTARA/HO-Basarnas Padang

PADANG - Padang Search and Rescue Office (SAR), West Sumatra (West Sumatra) has extended the search for victims of natural disasters on the South Coast until Saturday (16/3).

"The search and rescue operation in Pesisir Selatan Regency has been extended because there are still victims who have not been found," said Head of the Padang SAR Office Abdul Malik as quoted by ANTARA, Wednesday, March 13.

The search for victims was extended after a request from the local district regent to Basarnas.

According to Abdul Malik, the search and rescue operation has been carried out by his party together with a joint SAR team in the Pesisir Selatan area since March 7, 2024.

Every day the team conducts a sweep at the location with a focus of three points, namely in Koto XI Tarusan District for the car incident that was dragged by the current when the flood occurred.

The second is in Sutera District due to landslides, and in Bayang District due to the incident of residents who were swept away by the flood currents.

He said that throughout the search from March 7 to Wednesday (17/3) the total number of victims found for the Pessel area was 24 people.

"The bodies of victims were found at three locations of natural disasters in Pessel Regency in a state of death," he explained.

Currently, there are still five more victims who are still being sought by officers with details of three in Langgai, one in Tarusan, and the other in Batang Bayang River.

Abdul said that in the remaining operating time until Saturday (16/3), the team will try their best to find the victims.