11 European tourists rescued after speedboat goes missing in Indonesia
Jakarta, July 25
Indonesian rescuers found 11 European tourists and one crew member alive after the speedboat carrying them went missing in the waters of Tomini Bay off Gorontalo province in eastern Indonesia, authorities said on Saturday.
The tourists and the crew member were evacuated by a joint search and rescue team to Tojo Una-Una Regency in Central Sulawesi after they were located in the waters of Tomini Bay, Heriyanto, head of the Gorontalo Search and Rescue Office, told local media.
Heriyanto said search operations are continuing for the missing captain.
The speedboat, carrying 11 tourists from European countries, departed from a dive resort in Central Sulawesi on Friday morning and was bound for a port in Gorontalo. It was scheduled to arrive at around 11:00 am local time but failed to reach its destination. prompting a search operation, Xinhua News Agency reported.
"We received a report on Friday and immediately launched a search operation," Heriyanto, head of the Gorontalo Search and Rescue Office, said on Saturday.
Heriyanto said joint rescue teams resumed sweeps early Saturday, deploying three search units across the vessel's estimated route and surrounding waters.
Meanwhile, in a different incident, the Indonesian search and rescue authorities on Friday suspended an operation for 14 people still missing after the KM Nurul Salsa passenger boat sank off South Sulawesi province.
The National Search and Rescue Agency said the operation was temporarily closed after a 10-day search yielded no new leads, despite all designated search areas being thoroughly covered.
Of the 76 people confirmed to have been on board, 58 were rescued, four were found dead, and 14 remained unaccounted for, according to the agency.
The agency said evacuation efforts would be launched if new information emerged indicating that any of the missing victims had been located.
The vessel sank after suffering engine failure in waters off South Sulawesi on July 15 while travelling from Jampea Island to Benteng.
— IANS
Reader Comments
Good to hear the outcome was positive for the speedboat incident. However, losing 14 people in that passenger boat sinking is tragic. Indonesia needs stricter safety regulations for passenger vessels, especially with the monsoon season.
Heartening to see the joint search and rescue teams working tirelessly across the vast Tomini Bay. Indonesia's maritime geography is challenging, much like our Andaman & Nicobar Islands. Resilience during crises always stands out. 🌊
It's concerning that the search for those 14 missing passengers was suspended after only 10 days. I understand resources are limited, but families deserve closure. Maybe the Indonesian authorities should consider international help if needed.
Imagine being a tourist on that boat—must have been a nightmare. But the rescue teams did a great job locating them. On the other hand, the passenger boat sinking shows how critical engine checks and life jackets are. Basic safety should never be compromised.
The speedboat incident had a happy ending, but the KM Nurul Salsa tragedy is deeply saddening. Losing 14 lives at sea is a huge loss. I wish the Indonesian government would invest more in maritime safety and faster rescue response.
D David E Glad the Europeans We welcome thoughtful discussions from our readers. Please keep comments respectful and on-topic.