Indonesian authorities are conducting a search on Wednesday for 24 fishermen who remain missing after a weekend shipwreck near Sulawesi, an incident that has already claimed two lives and left 11 people alive. The National Search and Rescue Agency, BASARNAS, coordinates the response, with involvement from multiple local and regional agencies as announced in a press release.
The operation focuses on the waters surrounding the Selayar archipelago, south of Sulawesi in central Indonesia, where a vessel carrying 37 fishermen sank early Saturday amid rough seas while en route from Jakarta to Lombok.
The rescue teams recovered ten survivors and two fatalities on Monday, and a further survivor was found on Tuesday, according to emergency services in an update issued yesterday.
Maritime accidents remain a significant challenge in Indonesia due to aging infrastructure, overloading of passengers and cargo, lax safety enforcement, and often severe weather conditions that complicate rescue efforts.
The ongoing search effort involves coast guard vessels, local authorities, and regional responders who are coordinating marine patrols, aerial reconnaissance, and on-site rescue operations in the affected area. As families await news, authorities emphasize the importance of stringent safety measures, better compliance with flotation and life-saving equipment requirements, and improved monitoring of vessel loads to prevent similar tragedies in the future. In this region, crews continue to work through the night to locate missing crew members and ensure the safety of those who have been rescued. Early reports indicate that weather and sea state will influence the pace of the search over the coming days, with authorities prepared to extend operations if needed. Attribution: Indonesian National Rescue Agency and local emergency services report on the ongoing response and casualty figures.