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View all search resultsFour Australians, two Indonesians rescued off coast of Sumatra
Search continues for one Indonesian who remains missing.
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S
ix people, including four Australian tourists, who were reported missing off the west coast of Sumatra after their boat encountered bad weather have been found alive, an official said on Tuesday.
Two boats carrying a total of 17 people left Nias Island for the private island of Pinang on Sunday, but one of the boats, which was carrying four Australians and three Indonesians, failed to arrive, prompting authorities to launch a search-and-rescue operation on Monday.
Rescuers found the four Australians and two Indonesians alive, and are still searching for the Indonesian who remains missing, said local rescue agency head Oktavianto.
"At the moment, all victims have been evacuated to the Pinang resort to receive further medical attention," Oktavianto said in a statement on Tuesday.
"For the last victim, the search is ongoing by rescuers around waters near Tuangku Island and Palawak Island."
Television footage showed Peter Foote, the father of one of the Australian surfers, reading a text from his son: "Hey Dad, Elliot here. I am alive, safe now, love you. Chat later."
Foote told reporters he wanted his son and friends to finish the remainder of their holiday.
"It's been hard, but it's all good now," he told Sky News. "Can't wait to talk to him. Wow, what an adventure he's having, a story to tell. He's come out the other end well so it's all good."
The 10-meter vessel was traveling from North Nias Island to Aceh's Banyak Island. The boat lost contact at around 6 p.m. on Sunday
A search was underway on Monday but the operation was called off as night fell.
"We will continue the search operation on Tuesday morning," Oktavianto told Reuters.
The four tourists were among a group of 12 Australians traveling to Banyak Island. The other eight were on another boat.
Marine accidents occur frequently in the country.
In 2018, more than 150 people drowned when a ferry sank in Lake Toba, Sumatra.
Last year, a ferry carrying more than 800 people ran aground in shallow waters off East Nusa Tenggara province and remained stuck for two days before being dislodged. No one was hurt.
