Four Australian tourists and two Indonesians have been rescued after being missing for two days in the waters off Indonesia’s Aceh province. The group, consisting of four Australians and three Indonesian crew members, encountered bad weather while on a wooden speedboat on Sunday. The details of how they ended up in the sea remain unclear.
According to Peter Foote, the father of one of the Australian tourists, his son Elliot Foote had sent him a text message stating that he was safe. Foote expressed relief and said, “It’s great, it’s good news. I’ll have to talk to him and want to see photos and see what he looks like. It’s all good.”
During the ordeal, Elliot Foote reportedly paddled his surfboard to an island to raise the alarm, while the other three Australians were found clinging to their boards at sea. It is not clear how the two Indonesians survived. One Indonesian crew member is still missing, according to the head of the local rescue agency.
The group of tourists was part of a larger group of 12 Australians and five Indonesians who were traveling to Pinang Island for a surfing vacation. The boats had left Nias Island on Sunday afternoon but encountered bad weather with heavy rain. Ten of them decided to take shelter on Sarang Alu Island, while the others continued their journey.
The six individuals who were rescued were taken to Pinang Island for medical assistance. Peter Foote stated that he expected his son and friends to continue the remaining eight days of their surfing vacation.
Indonesia, an archipelago with over 17,000 islands, relies heavily on ferries and boats for transportation. However, lax safety standards and overcrowding have led to frequent accidents. In July, an overloaded passenger boat capsized off Sulawesi island, resulting in the deaths of 15 people. Similarly, in 2018, an overcrowded ferry sank in a lake in North Sumatra province, claiming the lives of 167 people.
Policies and regulations regarding transportation safety have been a concern for the Indonesian government and authorities. Accidents such as these highlight the need for stricter safety measures to ensure the well-being of passengers and prevent further tragedies.