Indonesian Embassy Continues Searching for Four Missing Crew Members of Sunken Boat in South Korea

TEMPO.CO, Jakarta - The Indonesian Embassy’s Protection Team in Seoul continues to coordinate with the Korean Coast Guard (KCG) to search for the four missing crew members of the sunken 2 Haesinho fishing boat.

"Until now, the KCG is still searching for five crew members consisting of four Indonesian citizens and one Korean citizen," Director of Protection of Indonesian Citizens and Indonesian Legal Entities at the Indonesian Ministry of Foreign Affairs Judha Nugraha said via text message, Tuesday, March 12, 2024.

Judha explained that South Korean authorities have deployed 19 KCG vessels, one Korean Navy ship, 27 private vessels, 13 helicopters, and 20 divers to search for the missing crew members.

"According to the procedure, the SAR (search and rescue) operation is carried out for 3x24 hours. In coordination with the Indonesian Embassy in Seoul, the KCG decided to extend the SAR operation," he said.

The Indonesian Embassy in Seoul, according to him, has also coordinated with the ship owner to prepare for the repatriation of three bodies of Indonesian crew members previously found, as well as the fulfillment of the rights of the crew members.

"Meanwhile, the Foreign Ministry in collaboration with relevant agencies continues to provide the latest information about the search process and handling of the bodies to families in Indonesia," Judha said.

BP2MI ensures continued coordination

Head of the Indonesian Migrant Workers Protection Agency (BP2MI) Benny Rhamdani previously ensured that his side would continue to coordinate with the Foreign Ministry and the South Korean government in handling the case.

"BP2MI, as mandated by Law No. 18 of 2017 on the Protection of Indonesian Migrant Workers, will not stop coordinating with the South Korean government and other relevant ministries and institutions to tackle this case," Benny said in a press conference on Sunday evening.

Regarding the repatriation process of the bodies of the killed crew members, Benny explained, it will be carried out by the Foreign Ministry. Meanwhile, BP2MI will ensure the bodies arrive at their respective hometowns.

"We will continue to communicate intensively with relevant stakeholders to get the latest news of the five Indonesian citizens or other Indonesian migrant workers who are still in the search process," he explained.

The  2 Haesinho fishing boat sank on Saturday, March 9 in the waters located 68 kilometers south of the island in Tongyeong City, South Gyeongsang Province.

Nine crew members, including seven Indonesians, were on board the 29-ton vessel. Three Indonesians were found dead on Sunday, March 10, 2024, along with the body of a South Korean crew member.

ANTARA

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