Asmat boat capsizes, seven passengers missing

A small boat, known as a ketinting, capsized in the Betcbamu estuary in Asmat Regency, South Papua, on Sunday morning. The vessel was carrying eight people when it was struck by waves at approximately 06:30 WIT.

One passenger, 34-year-old Ebestina Kuwaito, managed to save herself and was taken to the Yow Health Center by local fishermen. Seven other passengers remain missing, including three adults and three children aged 2, 4, and 6 months.

A joint search and rescue team, comprising personnel from Basarnas, the Indonesian Navy (TNI AL), and the Asmat Water Police (Polairud), has been deployed to the area. Rescuers are currently scouring the estuary and surrounding waters, though operations are being conducted with consideration for local weather and water conditions.