Jakarta. Indonesian search and rescue teams rescued 11 foreign nationals and a crew member on Saturday after they spent hours drifting on a life raft in Tomini Bay when their speedboat broke apart and sank in rough seas.
The vessel’s captain, identified only as Ferdiansyah, remained missing as of Saturday evening, and search efforts were continuing.
The survivors escaped onto a life raft after the speedboat was struck by large waves at about 9 p.m. local time on Friday, according to Heriyanto, head of the National Search and Rescue Agency’s Gorontalo office.
“Due to bad weather, at around 9 p.m. local time, the vessel carrying 11 foreign nationals and two crew members was hit by high waves, causing it to break apart and sink,” Heriyanto said.
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The identities and nationalities of the foreign passengers were not immediately disclosed.
The SB Mister Un, operated by PT Farmaz Jaya Abadi, was carrying a total of 13 people from Tojo Una-Una Port in Central Sulawesi to Marisa District in Gorontalo Province.
The speedboat was expected to arrive at about 11 a.m. on Saturday, but after it failed to reach its destination, the owner reported it missing, prompting the National Search and Rescue Agency to launch a search operation.
Preliminary information indicated the vessel had developed engine trouble before being overwhelmed by heavy seas.
Search teams later located the wreckage of the speedboat before spotting the life raft carrying the 11 foreign passengers and one crew member. All 12 survivors were safely evacuated.
“The captain became separated from the others because visibility was reduced by fog,” Heriyanto said.
The survivors were taken back to Tojo Una-Una Port, where they received medical treatment.
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