Ternate, N Maluku (ANTARA) - The National Search and Rescue Agency (Basarnas) Office in North Maluku Province again searched for a 40-year old fisherman who fell into the sea five days ago while fishing in Tutupa waters.

The search for the fisherman, identified as Asmar, on the fifth day on Sunday started at 07.30 a.m. local time, Head of Basarnas office in North Maluku Province M Arafah said on Sunday.

The SAR team tried to search for the missing fisherman until 05.30 p.m. the day before but to no avail.

The SAR team on Sunday was divided into two groups, with the first group focusing on the area where the fisherman was believed to be missing.

Meanwhile, the second group comprising Basarnas officers and local residents combed the Tutupa Bancan coast in South Halmahera District, North Maluku Province, up to two nautical miles from the coastline.

According to the standard operating procedure, the search will be conducted until the seventh day. If they have not found the missing fisherman, they will evaluate the search to take further steps.

The Basarnas office also called on ships and boats that are passing by the waters and find the victim to report him to the office soon.

Translator: Abdul Fatah,Suharto
Editor: Rahmad Nasution
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