TEMPO.CO, Jakarta - Indonesian Military (TNI) continued to search for its missing submarine KRI Nanggala-402 that lost contact in the north of Bali waters on Wednesday, April 21. Several vessels of the neighboring countries were expected to arrive today to help the search operation.

“We hope MV Swift [from Singapore] will arrive this afternoon or evening. Mega Bakti vessels [from Malaysia], Ballarat and (HMAS) Sirius from Australia, and one ship from India are also on the way. We also hope Poseidon aircraft will soon join [the search operation],” said the TNI spokesman Maj. Gen. Ahmad Riad in a press conference on Friday, April 23.

Riad said all vessels will be granted an entry permit as soon as possible. This will be handled directly by the Intelligence Assistant (Asintel). The TNI Commander Marshal Hadi Tjahjanto instructed to welcome all available assistance.

“The process will be under Asintel, both from TNI Commander and Chief of Staff of the Navy. I have also talked with Asintel to accelerate the process because we have to catch with the time,” he said.

Yesterday, Chief of Staff of the Navy Admiral Yudo Margono said the oxygen reserves in the missing submarine could only last 72 hours or three days for 53 crew on board since it was declared missing on Wednesday.

The TNI pushed for the search operation with 21 vessels deployed, including KRI Rigel that could monitor underwater objects. However, KRI Rigel is still on the way to the search site.

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EGI ADYATAMA