After their boat capsized days earlier, leaving two dead, Indonesian search and rescue teams have escalated efforts to locate 23 missing fishermen. At least 12 crew members have been found alive, clinging to their overturned vessel since Saturday in the waters off the remote Selayar islands in South Sulawesi province.
The boat, originally carrying a crew of 35, encountered tragedy when it overturned, with two crew members found deceased on nearby islands and 21 still unaccounted for. Mexianus Bekabel, head of the local search and rescue agency, announced the deployment of a significant rescue operation involving 49 personnel and the largest vessel yet deployed for the mission, equipped with two rigid inflatable boats to aid in the search.
Another survivor was discovered floating alone near Jinato island on Tuesday, wearing a life jacket and waving a flag, adding to the ordeal. Meanwhile, eleven other Indonesian fishermen were rescued after their boat capsized last week in the same region, with 24 still missing from that incident.
Departing from Jakarta on March 3, the boat encountered stormy weather midway through its journey to Lombok Island, resulting in the tragic accident. Indonesia’s vast archipelago and lax safety standards contribute to maritime accidents, highlighting ongoing challenges in ensuring maritime safety in the region.
