Tangerang, Banten (ANTARA) – The Banten Regional Police confirmed that DNA test results have identified a body found on Enggano Island, Bengkulu, as Surakman, also known as Sukarman, a crew member of the missing Arupadatu I speedboat.
The boat was carrying a group of journalists when it lost contact in the waters of the Sunda Strait off Pandeglang, Banten, on September 7.
Banten Regional Police Chief Inspector General Hengki said the identification was confirmed after the Disaster Victim Identification (DVI) team conducted a thorough examination and matched DNA data.
“DNA examination of the body found on Enggano Island identified the individual as Sukarman, a crew member and the biological father of Yayan,” he said at a press conference on Wednesday.
Hengki explained that the identification was part of the SAR operation for eight people — five journalists and three crew members of the speedboat — who lost contact after departing from Pagedongan Carita Pier in Pandeglang at 2 p.m. local time to cover the eruption of Mount Anak Krakatau.
After 10 days of intensive searches by a joint team, a breakthrough came on September 12 when Bengkulu police officers discovered an unidentified male body in the waters of Sawang Bengkok, Kahyapu Village, Enggano Subdistrict.
Following the discovery, the Banten Regional Police’s Medical and Health Division coordinated with the local police to secure the body and transport it by Cessna aircraft to Bhayangkara Hospital in Bengkulu for further identification.
“The authorities then submitted antemortem and postmortem data on the eight missing victims. The team conducted data matching by analyzing fingerprints, dental records, and DNA samples,” Hengki said.
Following the identification, Sukarman’s body is scheduled to be flown from Bengkulu to Soekarno-Hatta International Airport in Tangerang before being transported to his home in Pandeglang.
“The body will be transported tomorrow from Bengkulu to Soekarno-Hatta Airport, after which it will be handed over to the family,” Hengki said.
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Translator: Azmi Syamsul M, Resinta Sulistiyandari
Editor: M Razi Rahman
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