TEMPO.CO, Jakarta - The AD-16-05 speedboat of the Jakarta Military Command [Kodam Jaya] sank in the waters off Thousand Islands on Monday, March 12. The boat was carrying 65 passengers, all of whom are soldiers of the Indonesian National Army.
"I was given a report that the evacuation is now over, and all the crew and passengers are safe," TNI spokesman Maj. Gen. Sabrar Fadhilah told Tempo,Monday.
Reports said that the ship was submerged due to engine failure.
At around 7:00 in the morning, security personnel departed to Pramuka Island, Thousand Islands. As they reached the middle of the ocean, the speedboat's engine died completely.
At around 10:15, another speedboat—the AD-04-15—approached the sinking AD-16-05 to rescue passengers; evacuating them to another ship. At 11:10 am, the AD-16-05 sank after all 65 passengers had left the boat.
Kodam Jaya's chief of information Lt. Col. [Inf] Kristomei confirmed the accident. He said the speedboat was supposed to have taken the soldiers to Pramuka Island for social work purposes.
MUHAMMAD HENDARTYO
