Swept away by waves in Papua, one dead and three missing

The Jakarta Post, Jayapura Mon, March 04 2013,


Four locals were swept away by waves while swimming at Amban beach in Manokwari, West Papua, on Sunday. One victim, Elia Lesnusa, was found dead while the other three – Anton, Ferry Anggara, and Kristianto Baotang – remain missing.

“Rolling waves suddenly came and swept away those four locals while they were swimming at around 4.30 a.m. People who were on the beach reported the incident to the Manokwari Search and Rescue (SAR)Team ,” said Papua police spokesperson Sr.Comr.I Gede Sumerta Jaya on Monday.

Shortly after receiving the report, the SAR team began its search for the victims and found Elia. “We will continue our search for those that remain missing,” said Sumerta Jaya.

A similar incident occurred at Base G beach in Jayapura, Papua, on Feb.24. Patriot Masero, a student from Cenderawasih

University’s School of Medicine, was swept out to sea by a large wave while he was swimming.

A joint team involving personnel from the Papua police, the SAR team and divers has conducted searches for the victim. One week has passed since Patriot was first reported missing.