Banjarmasin, S Kalimantan (ANTARA) – Indonesia’s National Search and Rescue Agency (Basarnas) prioritized medical examinations for 22 survivors of the KM Virgo Transport 8 after they were evacuated to Banjarmasin, South Kalimantan, on Tuesday.
Upon arrival ashore, all survivors underwent triage to assess their health and injuries, allowing medical teams to determine treatment according to individual needs.
Banjarmasin Search and Rescue Office Chief I Putu Sudayana said the 22 survivors were evacuated by the KRI Nala before being transferred in stages using a Rigid Buoyancy Boat (RBB).
“KRI Nala evacuated 22 survivors. They were then transported by RBB in two stages, with 16 people first and the remaining six afterward,” he said.
The transfer was necessary because the larger KRI Nala could not dock directly at Trisakti Port, requiring smaller boats to bring the survivors ashore, he said.
Basarnas chief Vice Adm. Mohammad Syafii said at a news conference on Monday night that KRI Nala had to transfer the survivors to the KAL Kumai before continuing toward the port.
“Because the ship is large, it cannot dock here. The survivors therefore had to be transferred again to the Indonesian Navy’s KAL Kumai,” he said.
After a long journey at sea and transfers between vessels, all survivors arrived at Trisakti Port for medical examinations to assess their condition following the maritime emergency.
Triage is essential because it allows medical teams to identify survivors requiring immediate treatment and determine whether others need observation or further care at health facilities.
The arrival of the 22 survivors increased the number of KM Virgo Transport 8 victims evacuated to Banjarmasin, while search and rescue operations continued for others.
Joint search and rescue teams continued sweeping the area around the accident site using various personnel and equipment, while recovered survivors received transfers, medical examinations and referrals when necessary.
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Translator: Gunawan W, Rahmad Nasution
Editor: Primayanti
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