Chief of the Sukabumi Marine and Air Police Unit, Adjunct Commissioner Tenda Sukendar, stated that the police unit, along with joint search and rescue teams, conducted efforts to search for Gibran, the missing child, until 11 a.m. local time. The victim drowned at Rawakalong Beach, Palabuhanratu Sub-district, on Wednesday, May 4, at around 4:10 p.m. local time. Sukendar delivered the statement on Thursday.
His administration dispatched several teams to conduct searches in the middle of the sea and the shores. However, no clue of the boy's whereabouts had been found so far.
Sukendar drew attention to the possibility of the victim being sucked in by underwater currents. The SAR team also expanded the area of search to increase the likelihood of finding the boy's body in case it was dragged by the currents to the middle of the sea. The National Search and Rescue Agency, Sukabumi Regional Search and Rescue Communication Forum, National Defense Force, and volunteers partook in the search and rescue efforts.
He noted that currently, the weather was quite sunny, but the sea was on high tide. In addition, tourists continue to visit Rawakalong Beach. To prevent accidents, his administration has constantly reminded them to not partake in activities, particularly swimming, in areas where accidents often took place.
He stated that the teams were still searching for the child, and it was expected that he could be found soon. They also appealed to the tourists to follow the rules and regulations of the tourism area while partaking in activities on the beach.
On Wednesday, May 4, seven-year-old child named Gibran got caught in a big wave at around 4:10 p.m. local time while swimming with his family at Rawakalong Beach.
The Sukabumi Water and Air Police Unit and the West Java Water and Air Police Unit, who were patrolling the location, attempted to save the victim, but Gibran could not be rescued, as his body was quickly dragged away by the current all the way to the middle of the sea before he eventually disappeared.
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Translator: Aditia Aulia R, Mecca Yumna
Editor: Sri Haryati
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