The National Search and Rescue Agency's (Basarnas) Makassar Office deployed personnel from Selayar Post and a rigid buoyant boat (RBB) to back up the SAR mission, said the agency's head, Mexianus Bekabel.
Dewi Jaya 2, which was carrying 37 people, capsized due to bad weather around 52 nautical miles from Benteng Port in Selayar Islands district, South Sulawesi, on March 9, he added.
"Eleven people survived the sea accident. Two were found dead, and 24 others still remain missing," he informed, adding that his agency is coordinating with related authorities to set up a joint command post.
The survivors have been identified as Dian Kurniawan, Amirrulhaq, M. Zaki Muntaha, Waryen, Tahmid, Amiluddin, Adi Bagus Panuntun, Septo Guntoro, Maulana Dwi Anggoro, Sun Hen Lakis, and Muzakkir Lakis.
Indonesia has seen a string of recent maritime accidents. In June 2020, a tugboat, Multi Sahabat 8, capsized in the Batu Ampar waters off Batam Island, Riau Islands province. While four of the tugboat's crew survived, its skipper went missing.
On September 6, 2023, MV Mutiara Berkah I, carrying 135 cargo trucks and 159 passengers, caught fire at Indah Kiat Port in Cilegon city, Banten province.
On March 11, MV Pari Kudus, carrying 32 passengers and three crew members, capsized in the Rambut Island waters off the Seribu Islands.
Agung Priambodo, an official at the Basarnas Jakarta, said that 31 passengers and three crew members of MV Pari Kudus survived the accident, while one passenger remains missing.
The passenger ship was headed to Mutiara Beach in North Jakarta from Asha Resort on Payung Island in Jakarta's Seribu Islands district, but capsized in the Rambut Island waters, he said.
The search for the missing passenger, identified as Shi Yi, a Taiwanese national, continued on Wednesday.
High waves, however, hampered the search and rescue operation on its third day, according to the head of Jakarta's National Search and Rescue Agency (Basarnas), Desiana Kartika Bahari.
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Translator: M.Darwin F, Rahmad Nasution
Editor: Anton Santoso
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