SAR RESUMES SEARCH AT LAKE TOBA FOR SUNKEN BOAT'S VICTIMS

by Andi Abdussalam

Jakarta, June 21 (Antara) - Rescuers of a joint team comprising military and police personnel along with locals are continuing the search for some 184 people, who are reportedly still missing after "KM Sinar Bangun" sank in Lake Toba, Monday.          So far, the rescuers have managed to find only 22 victims, of which three have died, but some 184 others are estimated to still be missing based on family reports, as the ship did not have any manifest.          The National Search and Rescue Agency (Basarnas) has announced that it will continue to search for the victims. Head of the Medan SAR Office Budiawan noted at an integrated command post at Tigaras Port, Simalungun District, on Thursday that the search began since 7:30 a.m. local time after the morning roll-call.          However, prior to this, it had earlier deployed its team of divers at 7 a.m. local time to look for passengers at the lake bed.          "They did not join the morning roll-call, as they were immediately ordered to dive," he clarified.          Despite weather conditions in Lake Toba not yet being conducive due to the rains, rescue operations have continued unabated. Basarnas has deployed 10 rubber boats in addition to its ship to comb through the waters of Lake Toba in search of the victims.          "The team remains on the pitch, and there are no reports that they have returned," he stated.