The National Search and Rescue Agency (Basarnas) ended active monitoring of KMP Mutiara Sentosa II after four days of search and surveillance operations in waters north of Madura Island, East Java. The decision was made on the seventh day after the fire incident, according to Nanang Sigit PH, head of the Surabaya Class A SAR Office.
"With no signs of victims that might not yet have been found, we are ending the active monitoring activities," Nanang said according to Antara, on Sunday (9/8). Active monitoring was conducted after the SAR operation status was shifted to surveillance activities on Wednesday (5/8).
During these activities, Basarnas deployed personnel and equipment to search waters north of Madura. Maritime search operations were carried out using KN SAR 249 Permadi and one unit RIB from Sumenep SAR Post, while aerial surveillance was conducted using Basarnas helicopter AW139 HR1301 to expand search coverage.
With the end of active monitoring, the Surabaya Class A SAR Office positioned personnel on alert to anticipate other emergency conditions. Earlier, Basarnas head Air Vice Marshal Mohammad Syafii shifted the special SAR operation to a preparedness operation after all 238 victims were accounted for and evacuated.
According to manifest data synchronised between the port authority and the vessel operator, the number of victims on board KMP Mutiara Sentosa II was confirmed as 238 people, consisting of 233 survivors and five dead. Survivors were evacuated by six vessels, including KM Meratus Pematang Siantar, TB Hasnur, KN Permadi, Selaras Mas, KRI Nala, and KMP Mutiara Ferindo I.
