VOI - Voice of Indonesia | RRI - Radio Republik Indonesia

Jakarta (voinews): Six Indonesian crew members (ABK) who sank in Japanese waters have yet to be found.

Indonesian Ministry of Foreign Affairs Director for Indonesian Citizen Protection Judha Nugraha said that the search and rescue (SAR) process is still ongoing.

The six Indonesian crew members disappeared when the Taiwanese ship Sing Chang Fa number 88 capsized in waters near Senkaku Island. The ship carried 7 passengers including the Taiwanese captain.

"As of today it can be conveyed that the SAR operation is still being carried out by the Japanese coast guard and also the Taiwanese coast guard but the six Indonesian crew members on the ship have not been found," he said in a press briefing, Friday (10/3) at the Indonesian Ministry of Foreign Affairs, Jakarta .

Previously it was reported that one body had been found and based on fingerprint identification, the body found was that of the ship's captain.

According to Judha, the Indonesian Embassy in Taipei has also met with Taiwanese authorities and ship owners to ensure that the rights of the crew members are fulfilled. Judha Nugraha said the six missing Indonesian crew members were from Central Java.

"Of the 6 crew members of the Indonesian fishing vessels, we can say that the majority came from Central Java. There are in Pemalang, Pekalongan, Brebes, and also some from Indramayu," he said.

In addition, he added, the government had also contacted the family through the Indonesian Migrant Worker Protection Agency (BP2MI) to provide up-to-date information regarding the SAR efforts being carried out. (VOI/Andy)