SAR Team Evacuates 37 Tourists from Boat Runs Aground in Labuan Bajo
- Antara/HO Basarnas Maumere
Labuan Bajo – A joint SAR team evacuated 37 tourists from a boat that ran aground in the waters off Labuan Bajo, East Nusa Tenggara, on Saturday.
"The boat, Duta Samota, was carrying 33 foreign tourists and four local tourists," said Basarnas Maumere Office Head Supriyanto Ridwan from Maumere, Sikka Regency, on Saturday.
"The boat ran aground after hitting a reef around Kelor Island at 1.30 PM local time,"
Berwisata ke Pulau Rinca, Kawasan Taman Nasional Komodo, NTT
- ANTARA FOTO/Indrianto Eko Suwarso
In addition to the 37 tourists, there were four crew members on the boat. They were also evacuated to Labuan Bajo Port, about 5.86 nautical miles from the location of the grounding.
Based on information provided by the crew, the boat had been sailing from Lombok, West Nusa Tenggara, since Wednesday, stopping at several islands, including Komodo Island and Kelor Island.
The boat got dragged into shallow waters while leaving Kelor Island and sprung a leak, causing water to enter from the left side of the hull.
In addition to the rescue team, other boats around the grounding location also helped evacuate the passengers and their belongings.
