Two Days Lost, Fisherman From Garut Who Fell From The Ship Has Not Been Found

Joint SAR team officers are searching for the victim of a missing fisherman on Santolo Beach, Garut Regency, West Java, Monday (3/4/2023). (ANTARA)

The joint Search and Rescue (SAR) team is still searching for a fisherman who reportedly fell from his boat while fishing alone in the waters of Garut Regency, West Java since two days ago. "Until the second day the team has not found his whereabouts and we will continue the next day," said Garut Air and Air Police Unit Head AKP Anang Sonjaya when contacted via a cell phone quoted by ANTARA, Monday, April 3. He said the victim was known to be named M Zet Santono (41), a Garut resident. The victim carried the Abadi Cahaya boat to go to sea in Garut waters on Saturday, but the boat he was carrying was stranded on Santolo Beach, Sunday 2 April, while the owner was not there. Police, he said, immediately conducted an investigation with the location of the case at the location of the boat was found, then examined a number of fishermen, including asking for information from the families of the victims. "Earlier I have asked for information from his wife and fellow fishermen as witnesses," he said. He conveyed the results of the witness's statement that the victim was thought to have fallen from the boat while fishing alone, then the boat he was stranded on the Santolo Beach. The incident, he said, must be the concern of all parties, especially fishermen, not to be careful when fishing, and to be required not to be alone while searching for fish in the middle of the ocean. "I still urge you to continue tomorrow at 07.30 WIB," he said. The SAR team involved in the search, namely Basarnas, Polres Garut, Pos AL Pangandaran, RN Santolo, Balawista Santolo, and a number of other volunteer elements.

Previously, it was known that the victim was seen that Saturday night at around 23.00 WIB carrying out fishing activities alone to spread nets in the waters of Santolo. However, the ship carried by the victim was seen by other fishermen stranded on the coast of the Santolo area, Sunday morning, while the victim was unknown. The incident of the ship stranded without a crew, made the ranks of Satpolairud, fishermen, and elements from other agencies search for victims, then evacuated the ship to the mainland, then searched for the whereabouts of the victim.