VIVAnews – Search operation for victims of Teratai Prima Ferry at the Majene Waters, West Sulawesi, has officially ended as of Tuesday night, Jan. 20. However, the search team is still keeping three command posts open for the public who wish to file complaints or those who have information regarding the incident.
“The public can contact the VI Makassar Military Air Force Base, Makassar SAR office and Parepare Port Administrator. Especially for those who find a body or someone washed ashore,” said Head of Search Mission Coordinator (SMC) Navy Colonel Jaka Santosa, Wednesday, Jan. 21.
The cessation of the search efforts, according to Santosa, is based on applicable procedures. Search for victims can only be done for a maximum of seven days and can only be extended if there is possibility.
Indeed, search efforts had been extended. It lasted for three extra days, totaling to 10 days. However, no additional victims were found. “In the first seven days, 44 were found, 35 alive and 9 dead. After extending the search for three days, our search bore no results,” said Santosa, when contacted by VIVAnews in Makassar.
Based on the passenger manifest upon departure, said Santosa, there are still 206 passengers that are still missing. In fact, the number is probably higher given the fact that there are reports of passengers that are not listed.
The end of the search operation was officiated in a ceremony at the Parepare port last night. Santosa led the ceremony. In his opening speech, he apologized to the families of victims whose bodies have not been found. According to him, the 10-day search efforts had been done as maximally as possible. He also said that the Indonesian Military Navy is still searching for the ship’s wreckage at the location where the ship is believed to have sunk.
The Teratai Prima ferry sunk on Sunday, 11 January, in the waters of Majene, West Sulawesi. Preliminary investigation points to bad weather – there were reports of a typhoon. The captain of the ferry has also been accused of being negligent in not heeding warnings apparently issued prior to departure.
Coverage by: Rahmat Zeena|Makassar
Translation by: Ramona Sofianne Dewi Sasradipoera
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