According to local authorities, a devastating incident occurred on the Mahakam River in East Kalimantan Province, Indonesia, resulting in the loss of eight lives. Dody Setiawan, head of the province’s Search and Rescue Office, confirmed the details on Thursday.
The tragedy unfolded when a vessel carrying 28 individuals-comprising 25 passengers and three crew members-capsized while navigating upstream in West Kutai Regency. Fortunately, 20 people managed to survive this harrowing event.
A comprehensive search operation was promptly initiated along a 15-kilometer stretch downstream. This effort involved around 50 rescuers utilizing rubber boats to scour the waters for any signs of those missing.
By late evening at approximately 11:50 p.m. local time, all eight individuals were located; however, they were found deceased with their bodies recovered from the river’s current.
The preliminary investigation suggests that an overloaded ship combined with strong water currents contributed significantly to this tragic accident. At the time of sinking, the vessel was reportedly transporting cement.
