Two UGM students dead, 10 rescued during search

Ambon (ANTARA) - The Ambon Search and Rescue Agency in the eastern Indonesian province of Maluku concluded its search operation on Wednesday after recovering the bodies of two Gadjah Mada University (UGM) students and evacuating 10 survivors.

The deceased, identified as Septian Eka Rahmadi and Bagus Adi Prayogo, lost their lives when their motorboat capsized in the Southeast Maluku waters due to high waves and strong winds on Tuesday.

The Ambon SAR agency's head, Muhamad Arafah, stated that the rescue team found Prayogo's body at around 11:00 p.m. local time after he was reported missing shortly after the boat capsized.

On the day of the incident, two motorboats carrying seven UGM students participating in their university's community service program (KKN) and five local residents departed from Debut Village to Wahr Island.

According to a statement on UGM's official website, the undergraduate students were traveling to the island to collect sand samples for building an artificial patch reef as part of the KKN program.

On their return journey from the island to Debut Village, one of the motorboats capsized in the village's waters, the Yogyakarta-based public university reported in its official statement.

UGM's Community Service Director Rustamadji was quoted as expressing deep condolences for the victims and appreciation for their dedication.

He also expressed his gratitude to all parties involved in the search and evacuation mission.

Regarding the transport of the deceased students, Arafah said it would be the responsibility of the victims' families, as his agency had concluded the search mission and sent the bodies to a local hospital.

Arafah remarked that the 10 survivors of the sea accident included Daeren Sakti Hermanu, Muhammad Arva Sagraha, Ridwan Rahardian Wijaya, Afifudin Baliya Pratista Halimawan, Maikel Letsoin, Marvel Letsoin, Mikel Mipuka, Atin Letsoin, and Penus Letsoin.