Several fishing boats are seen docking at Pusong fishing port in Lhokseumawe, Aceh, on May 8, 2021. (Antara Photo/Rahmad)
MAY 15, 2021
Jakarta. Indonesian fishing vessel KM Bandar Nelayan 188 carrying 26 crewmembers has run into an accident and lost contact in the Indian Ocean about 650 nautical miles west of Perth, Australia, a day ago, the Foreign Affairs Ministry said in a statement on Saturday.
The ministry said the Australian authority dispatched an aircraft that pinpointed the boat location and found the boat half-submerged in water. Initial information suggested the vessel experienced a leak, the ministry said.
“The aircraft deployed a life raft and initiated a radio communication but has not received any response. Until now, the condition of the 26 crew members is still unknown,” the Foreign Affairs Ministry said in the statement.
The Australian Navy Ship HMAS ANZAC and two P8 Poseidon aircraft were also dispatched to assist the search and rescue efforts. The authority has also asked other fishing boats around the location to assist.
Through its consulate general in Perth, the ministry was closely monitoring the situation and working together with the Australian authority, according to the statement.
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