Search and rescue teams in Indonesia have recovered five survivors from a passenger vessel that capsized earlier this week. The group, which includes a 7-year-old girl, was discovered late Saturday afternoon drifting at sea while clinging to a local fisherman's fish trap. Officials confirmed that the survivors—one man and four women—were rescued near Matallang Island before being transferred to a search and rescue vessel and transported to Benteng town for medical evaluations and further processing.
The vessel, identified as the KM Nurul Salsa, was carrying a total of 78 passengers and crew members when it encountered severe engine failure on Wednesday. The boat subsequently sank approximately 43 nautical miles, or 79 kilometers, from the port in the Selayar Islands, located in South Sulawesi Province. While the Makassar Search and Rescue Office initially stated that 74 people were on board when the vessel departed from Jampea Island, that figure was later revised upward to 78.
Authorities are continuing an active search operation for the 20 individuals who remain missing. Muhammad Arif Anwar, head of the Makassar Search and Rescue Office, confirmed that at least one fatality has been recorded in connection with the accident. In Indonesia, an archipelago nation consisting of more than 17,000 islands, passenger boats serve as a vital mode of transportation. However, accidents remain a frequent occurrence due to issues such as overcrowding and inconsistent safety standards.
