Boat Capsizes in Rawa Rofi, One Person Missing, Five Survive
A devastating accident took place at Rawa Rofi, Pahandut Seberang, in Palangka Raya, Central Kalimantan, when a boat carrying six people capsized, leaving one person missing and presumed drowned. The incident occurred in the late hours of the day, and initial reports shared on social media platforms stated that five of the passengers managed to survive the incident, while one person remains unaccounted for. The news quickly spread across local WhatsApp groups, leading to a joint search and rescue (SAR) operation being launched by authorities in the area.
Jean Steve Austen, the Head of the Palangka Raya Emergency Response Team, confirmed the accident and provided further details on the ongoing rescue efforts. According to him, the SAR team, together with the survivors, has been gathered at a location identified through shared coordinates. The initial site of the incident has been pinpointed as the middle of the river, and SAR teams are concentrating their efforts on that area, hoping to find the missing individual. Jean explained that while the exact circumstances of the boat’s capsizing are still under investigation, efforts to locate the missing person are intensifying with every passing hour.
“Currently, we are focusing on the coordinates provided by the survivors, and our team is coordinating the search in the area near the suspected location of the boat capsizing,” Jean explained. Despite the challenging conditions and the search being complicated by the surrounding environment, the SAR team is working tirelessly to locate the missing person. Local authorities and volunteers are also assisting in the effort, providing logistical support and keeping watch over other areas of the riverbank to ensure no other accidents occur.
This incident highlights the dangers associated with water-based activities in the region, especially in areas where swift currents and unpredictable weather can pose significant threats to travelers. Residents and visitors alike have been urged to exercise extreme caution while near the Kahayan River and other waterways. Authorities have issued reminders about the importance of safety measures, such as wearing life jackets and ensuring boats are equipped with necessary safety equipment before embarking on journeys.
As the search continues, local authorities have refrained from releasing the identities of the victims, focusing instead on locating the missing person. They are also working to gather more information from the survivors to better understand the chain of events that led to the accident. The authorities have asked for cooperation from the public to provide any useful information or observations that might aid the search.
In the meantime, the community has been left in shock by the tragedy, with many expressing their condolences for the victims and their families. The incident serves as a somber reminder of the risks that exist when engaging in water activities, especially in remote and less-controlled environments. While the immediate focus is on the ongoing search, the people of Palangka Raya are hopeful that the missing person will be found soon.
The situation remains fluid, and updates are expected to be provided as soon as more information is available. Local media and government officials continue to monitor the situation closely, and the SAR team is preparing for any potential challenges in their ongoing mission. As the search operations persist, everyone in the area is urged to remain vigilant and take necessary precautions when navigating the waterways.
