Padang. Rescuers have found 17 of the 18 people on board a capsized boat in the waters of Sipora Strait, Mentawai Islands, West Sumatra, with all survivors reported in stable condition as of Tuesday.

The boat, which was carrying crew members, local government officials, a district parliament member, and civilians, capsized after being hit by high waves. The joint rescue team, including National Search and Rescue Agency (Basarnas), the military, police, and local residents, found the survivors scattered across three locations in North Pagai subdistrict: Mappinang, Guluguluk, and Bulau villages.

“We have located 17 survivors, and we have received encouraging information that the remaining person may have also survived,” said Mentawai SAR chief Rudi on Tuesday. The team is working to verify reports that the last missing passenger was found stranded in a local village.

Rescuers used the KN SAR Ramawijaya vessel to evacuate survivors to Tuapeijat for medical checks and identification. Search efforts continue for the final passenger, identified as Guntur, an employee of the Mentawai public works department, with teams combing the waters from Sikakap to Tuapeijat and around the Sipora Strait using SAR rigid boats.

“We will continue the search until we find the last victim,” said Dhio Ulwi Winanda, head of operations at the Mentawai Search and Rescue Office, urging families and the community to remain patient and support ongoing efforts.

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