Boat Leak Causes Tragic Drowning of Two Fishermen in Malang
Fundacion Rapala – Two fishermen in Malang tragically lost their lives after the boat they were in leaked and capsized while they were fishing in the Brantas River in Dusun Cungkal, Desa Sumberpetung, Kalipare District. The incident occurred on Monday, May 20, 2024, around 08:00 AM WIB.
The Incident Unfolds
According to the Malang Police Public Relations Officer, Iptu Ahmad Taufik, the victims were identified as Bambang Sutikno, 45, a resident of Blitar, and Arief Purwanto, 40, a resident of Malang. The two men were among a group of four who had set out to fish in the river. Along with them were Saiful Arifin and Ahmad Afandi.
Taufik explained that the incident began when the group was about 100 meters away from the riverbank. The boat owned by Arief began to leak from the front. Arief, who was steering the boat, attempted to turn the boat and head back to shore to prevent it from sinking. However, the boat capsized, throwing all four men into the river.
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Desperate Struggle for Survival
As the boat capsized, Saiful Arifin screamed for help. Fortunately, a local resident who was collecting grass nearby heard the cries and rushed to assist. The local man managed to navigate his own boat to rescue Saiful Arifin and Ahmad Afandi, who had managed to stay afloat. They were pulled to safety by the helpful local resident.
Despite these efforts, the situation turned tragic for the two other fishermen. After approximately 30 minutes of searching by local residents, Bambang Sutikno’s body was found, lifeless, in the river. Another 30 minutes later, Arief Purwanto’s body was also recovered.
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Police Investigation and Evidence Collection
The police from the Kalipare Sector (Polsek Kalipare) arrived at the scene and secured several pieces of evidence, including a black and blue fishing bag and a six-meter-long motorized boat. The authorities are continuing their investigation into the cause of the boat’s leakage and the tragic events that followed.
The families of the victims, meanwhile, declined to have autopsies performed, considering the incident to be a tragic accident. Taufik stated that the families accepted the loss as a misfortune and did not request further legal action.
Community Response and Rescue Efforts
In the aftermath of the tragedy, the local community’s quick response in attempting to rescue the victims highlights the collective effort in times of crisis. The locals’ courage and swift action saved two of the four fishermen. But the loss of the other two men was a stark reminder of the unpredictable dangers that can arise during seemingly peaceful activities like fishing. The community has expressed their condolences and support for the grieving families.
The tragic drowning of Bambang Sutikno and Arief Purwanto marks a sorrowful event in Malang and serves as a reminder of the importance of ensuring safety while engaging in water-related activities. Especially when using boats in unpredictable conditions.