TEMPO.CO, Ternate - Speedboat KM Armando sank in the Jailolo waters, West Halmahera on Thursday, December 29, 2016, due to the bad weather. Dozens of passengers are immediately evacuated.
Based on the information gathered by Tempo, the speedboat set sail from Ternate to Jailolo at 09.00 am Indonesia Eastern Time. The boat sank in Tauro Island, South Jailolo, after swaying on the sea for four hours.
West Halmahera Resort Police Chief Adj. Sr. Comr. Sutoyo confirmed the issue. According to him, his institution is currently conducting an evacuation of the passengers. However, he said he had not heard a completed information about the victims.
"The current position [of the boat] is still in the sea and we’re still in the evacuation process. We’ll inform the development once I arrived on the land. But I confirm the accident," Sutoyo told Tempo Thursday, December 29, 2016.
Public Relation head of West Halmahera District Suparto Lansi said that dozens of speedboats had been deployed to help the evacuation. His office has also sent emergency disaster mitigation team to save the passengers.
"As of today, we’re still in the evacuation process. We’ll inform the complete news after the evacuation finished," Suparto said.
BUDHY NURGIANTO
