KM Cahaya Fitrah capsizes off Konawe Utara, 11 fishermen rescued

A motor fishing vessel, KM Cahaya Fitrah, sank after being hit by a severe storm in the waters of Konawe Utara, Southeast Sulawesi. The boat suffered a hull breach while sailing from Pulau Panimbang toward Kendari, and drifted for three hours before sinking between Pulau Labengki and Pulau Tiga.

Rescue teams from Basarnas Kendari responded rapidly. Operation chief Saiful Wijanarta confirmed that all 11 fishermen on board were retrieved alive using rigid‑inflatable boats and brought to the Basarnas dock in Kendari, where they were handed over to waiting family members. No fatalities were reported.