The Indonesian Navy successfully rescued 17 people after a tourist vessel, KM Putri Papua, sank off the coast of Sorong, Southwest Papua. The vessel, a phinisi-style liveaboard operated by Grand Komodo, experienced engine failure before sinking in the early hours of the morning.
A naval patrol vessel, KRI Mata Bongsang-873, was deployed to the scene after receiving a distress alert. Upon arrival, the boat was no longer visible, prompting a search operation. A plume of smoke led rescuers to the location, where they established brief radio contact before the signal was lost.
At the time of evacuation, the vessel had already submerged. All 17 people on board—including eight crew members and nine passengers, six of whom were foreign nationals—were safely rescued. Two crew members sustained minor injuries.
Following the rescue, authorities reported the sinking as a navigational hazard and transported the survivors to Sorong for medical evaluations. The Indonesian Navy emphasized its commitment to maritime safety and swift emergency response in the region.
Comments
