REPUBLIKA.CO.ID, JAKARTA -- The search for victims of MV Sinar Bangun which sank in Lake Toba, North Sumatra will be stopped on July 3. The decision has been approved by victims’ families in a meeting between Simalungun Government, National Search and Rescue Agency (Basarnas), National Transportation Safety Commission (KNKT), and Jasa Marga.

“Termination of victims search operation is set on July 3,” said  National Disaster Mitigation Agency (BNPB) spokesman, Sutopo Purwo Nugroho on Monday (July 2).

According to Sutopo, KNKT has conducted investigation and analyze the incident. However, KNKT was experiencing difficulties due to the depth of Lake Toba. Team has been conducting a shipwreck investigation at a depth of about 200 meters while the ship sank at a depth around 450 meters.

Sutopo said KNKT could not figure out yet the situation of MV Sinar Bangun. Therefore, it was hard to determine the next steps and equipments needed for evacuation.

“They need special equipments and it takes time to assemble the tools needed for the condition of Lake Toba,” Sutopo explained.

KNKT would announce the investigation result of the cause of MV Sinar Bangun incident within the next 1,5 months.

Earlier, Simalungun Regent JR Saragih asked victims families to give up the search process in Lake Toba. After the search operation ends, he said government plans to establish a monument to commemorate the incident.

“The victims’ names will be written on the monument's inscription," said JR Saragih.

MV Sinar Bangun capsized in Lake Toba on last June 18 at around 5 p.m. local time. The latest development revealed that the boat carried 188 people while its capacity was only 43 passengers. Only 22 people have been found, with 19 of them having survived, including the captain of MV Sinar Bangun.

Ikuti Whatsapp Channel Republika