We received the report only on Saturday at 10:30 a.m. local time. Shortly after receiving the report, we readied personnel and devicesManokwari, W Papua (ANTARA) - The National Search and Rescue Agency (Basarnas) Office in Manokwari received a report of eight people having gone missing while fishing in the Manokwari waters in West Papua Province on Friday (March 27).
One of the eight people was a six-year-old child, Chief of the Basarnas Office George Leo Mercy Randang stated in the West Papua provincial capital of Manokwari on Saturday.
The Basarnas Office has deployed a rescue team to trace the eight missing people, with assistance extended by the local residents and family members, he revealed.
The eight people went fishing aboard a white fiber boat that set sail from Arkuki Coast for the waters of Mansinam Island on Friday at 9:30 a.m. local time.
"We received the report only on Saturday at 10:30 a.m. local time. Shortly after receiving the report, we readied personnel and devices. The team left at around 10:40 a.m. local time," he stated.
Before losing contact, one of the eight people had phoned a member of his family for reporting the case to Basarnas. They were supposed to return home on Friday evening.
"However, they had yet to return home until Friday night. When they failed to return home until Saturday morning, their kin reported the matter to the SAR Office," he stated.
"This afternoon, the weather is quite good. May they be found in a safe condition," Randang remarked.
The eight people comprised Yusak Sineri, Sandy Torey, Marthenci Torey, Sarah Saluku, Yuliana Arwot, Keren Sineri, Martha Abairey, and Kiki Abairey.
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EDITED BY INE
Translator: Toyiban/Suharto
Editor: Fardah Assegaf
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