Ni Komang Erviani, Denpasar – One member of crew died and nine others are still missing after a fishing boat sank south of Bali on Tuesday. Five people from the crew were rescued by another passing fishing boat.
The KM Linggar Petak 89 sank in waters about 62 kilometers from Bali on Tuesday at around 1 a.m. Central Indonesia Time (WITA).
Basarnas Bali chief Gede Darmada said on Friday that survivors had been evacuated to Bali on Thursday afternoon. The body of the victim who died has been sent to Prof IGNG Ngoerah Hospital's forensic unit.
Darmada said that the fishing boat, operated by PT Sumber Mina Samudera, departed from Benoa Harbor in Denpasar earlier on Tuesday for its fishing grounds. It is reported that the boat sank at 09 degrees 21 minutes S 115 degrees 03 minutes E after it was swamped by heavy seas.
The survivors and the body of the victim were picked up by the KM Bahari Nusantara 25 fishing boat, which was in the area.
Basarnas Bali deployed the KN SAR Arjuna 229 boat in the search. However, due to bad weather and limited visibility, the search and rescue team could not reach the area.
The search operation will continue, involving the police and military.
Darmada said that the sunken boat's captain, who is among the survivors, said that all crew members abandoned the boat without any safety equipment. The boat was not equipped with either communication equipment or GPS. (dre)