JAKARTA – Eight people lost their lives in a devastating incident when an overloaded ferry carrying cement sank in the Mahakam River, a vital waterway in East Kalimantan, amidst strong currents. The tragic event occurred near Ujoh Halang in the Long Iram district of West Kutai regency on Nov 10 around 9 PM local time. The ferry was en route to a pier owned by palm oil plantation firm PT Borneo Daya Lestari. Despite the catastrophe, rescue teams managed to save 20 out of the 28 passengers onboard.
The first victim identified, Marselus Bouk, 24, was found on Wednesday morning about 3.69km away from the accident site. Search efforts continued, leading to the discovery of the bodies of Anci Anwar, 50, Dedy, 30, Yanto, 40, Ilham, 27, Asmanu alias Bogel, 55, and Ira, 24, at various locations within 100m to 13km from the sinking spot. The final victim, Pendy, 30, was located on the evening of Nov 12, around 10.7km from the accident site, and all victims were laid to rest at Harapan Insan Sendawar General Hospital in Barong Tongkok district. Authorities from the West Kutai Disaster Management Agency suggested that overloading and the strong current were key factors contributing to the ferry’s tragic sinking.
Endrow Sasmita, the head of operations and alertness at the National Search and Rescue Agency (Basarnas) Balikpapan office, confirmed the initiation of a collaborative rescue operation following reports received by the agency. An investigation is ongoing, although challenges persisted due to the swift river current that hampered diving efforts and risked divers’ safety. Despite facing obstacles, search and rescue teams persisted by utilizing alternative methods such as surface sweeping, land observations, rubber boats, speedboats, thermal drones, and diving equipment. The joint SAR team worked tirelessly, continuing their search operations throughout the day.
The remote Ujoh Halang area serves as the administrative hub of Long Iram district, essential for logistics distribution and river transportation in East Kalimantan. Accessible mainly by waterways, Ujoh Halang plays a crucial role in connecting upstream villages like Tering, Long Hubung, and Long Pahangi. Despite limited road infrastructure, the river remains fundamental for residents’ mobility and goods distribution, supporting various activities including logistics and mining operations within Ujoh Halang. The village, although hosting temporary governmental activities, public services, and emergency responses, lacks permanent bases for lumber and coal companies in the region. The challenging journey from Balikpapan to Ujoh Halang, spanning approximately 450 to 500km via the Balikpapan-Samarinda-Melak-Long Iram route, highlights the geographical obstacles that hinder immediate responses to emergencies in the area.
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