Denpasar, Bali (ANTARA) – Indonesia’s National Search and Rescue Agency (Basarnas)-Bali Office has deployed an SGi Air Bali helicopter to help evacuate passengers from the KMP Putri Yasmin ferry after it caught fire in the Lombok Strait.
“SGi Air Bali’s helicopter took off at 9:50 a.m. local time for the search area,” Bali Basarnas Chief I Nyoman Sidakarya said in Denpasar on Wednesday.
Given the emergency and coordination between the Mataram and Denpasar search offices, the helicopter was deployed to provide wider aerial surveillance of the waters.
“It is mainly for aerial searches because the helicopter offers a wider view. Evacuation will still be handled by the nearest vessels,” Sidakarya said.
Along with the helicopter and its six-member crew – a pilot, co-pilot, two crew members and two rescuers – Bali Basarnas also deployed the KN SAR Arjuna to support the evacuation.
The KN SAR Arjuna carried 21 Bali personnel who departed Benoa Port at 8 a.m., followed by the Bali Basarnas chief, operations officer, public relations officer and five rescuers from Karangasem SAR Post via Padang Bai.
Mataram Basarnas said an intensive search and rescue operation was underway following the fire aboard the KMP Putri Yasmin in the Lombok Strait.
The incident was reported at 4:15 a.m. local time while the ferry was sailing from Padang Bai Port to Lembar Port.
Mataram Basarnas received an emergency report at 4:39 a.m. and immediately deployed personnel to begin the evacuation.
Mataram Basarnas chief Muhamad Hariyadi said the team’s top priority was ensuring the safety of all passengers and crew aboard the ferry.
“We deployed KN 220 Mataram, a rigid inflatable boat and a rigid buoyancy boat to evacuate people and coordinate with vessels near the incident,” Hariyadi said.
The operation involves Mataram and Denpasar Basarnas offices, KMP PortLink II, KAL Lembar, the Indonesian Navy, West Lombok police, marine police, Lembar harbor authorities, yachts, SGi Air Bali and local residents.
The joint SAR team remained at the scene to continue evacuating passengers and crew.
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Translator: Ni Putu PM, Rahmad Nasution
Editor: Primayanti
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