Five rescued after surviving three days at sea following Indonesia shipwreck
- South Sulawesi search and rescue chief Mohammad Arif Anwar said the survivors managed to stay alive using makeshift flotation devices they found in the water.
Indonesian rescue teams have saved five people, including a seven-year-old girl, after they survived three days at sea following the sinking of a passenger vessel off the coast of Sulawesi Island.
The survivors were found on Sunday after being stranded following Wednesday’s maritime accident, in which the ship carrying 70 passengers sank near Selayar Island in southern Sulawesi. The disaster has so far left at least one person dead, while 24 others remain missing.
According to rescue officials, the five survivors were among a larger group of 25 people who were initially reported missing after the vessel went down. They told rescuers that strong winds later separated the group as they struggled to remain afloat.
South Sulawesi search and rescue chief Mohammad Arif Anwar said the survivors managed to stay alive using makeshift flotation devices they found in the water.
They collected plastic containers and pieces of cork, tying them together with ropes to create temporary support while waiting for help.
Officials said the vessel sank after experiencing engine failure while travelling near Selayar Island. Search operations continue as rescue teams work to locate the remaining missing passengers.
The accident highlights the ongoing maritime safety challenges facing Indonesia, an archipelago nation of around 17,000 islands, where sea transport is a vital part of daily life.
However, vessel accidents remain frequent due to factors including poor safety practices, overcrowding and unpredictable weather conditions.
Indonesia has experienced several deadly maritime incidents in recent years. In December, three Spanish tourists were killed after their boat sank off the country’s eastern coast, adding to concerns over safety standards in the country’s busy waters.
Rescue teams continue to search the surrounding waters, while authorities are investigating the circumstances that led to the latest tragedy.
