“We adjusted the SAR operations based on the data of missing victims reported in each district and city,” Head of the Disaster Data, Information, and Communication Center of the National Disaster Mitigation Agency (BNPB), Abdul Muhari, said.
He made the statement during a press conference on Aceh disaster response update in Banda Aceh, Aceh, on Sunday.
This decision was made following intensive coordination between the BNPB and the National Search and Rescue Agency (Basarnas), taking into account the dynamics of reports regarding the missing victims on the ground.
He stated that the extension of the SAR operations reflected the government’s commitment to ensuring all reports of missing victims are followed up on seriously and accurately.
“Even though reports of missing victims have reached zero in some areas, the Basarnas team remains on standby because there is a possibility that victims could be found in neighboring regions,” he said.
He informed that for Aceh, SAR operations are still underway in six districts: Bener Meriah, North Aceh, Central Aceh, Bireuen, Aceh Tamiang, and Nagan Raya.
In North Sumatra, the operations are continued in Central Tapanuli District, South Tapanuli District, and Sibolga City.
Meanwhile, in West Sumatra, the SAR efforts are still running in Agam District, Padang Panjang City, Padang Pariaman District, and Tanah Datar District.
He affirmed that victims found in other regions will still be strictly identified based on name and address, then matched with population data to determine their region of origin.
This step is deemed crucial to maintain the accuracy of national data and prevent duplication in recording.
In addition to the regions where SAR operations are still active, several other districts are on Basarnas standby. If new reports regarding suspected missing victims are received from families or the public, the search operation will be carried out again.
At Sunday's press conference, Muhari reported that the number of missing victims declined by 58 over the past week, as several previously reported missing victims were found and re-verification was carried out.
On Sunday, the SAR teams found 10 bodies: nine in Aceh and one in Agam District, West Sumatra, taking the death toll in the three provinces to 1,016. Meanwhile, the number of missing victims declined to 212.
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Translator: Rahmat Fajri, Raka Adji
Editor: Azis Kurmala
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