Buol, Central Sulawesi. An Indonesian fisherman has rescued 15 Filipino nationals who had been stranded at sea for nearly two weeks after their boat was severely damaged by rough waves, local authorities said.

The rescue took place on Thursday, in waters off Buol Regency, Central Sulawesi, and quickly drew the attention of local residents due to the dramatic circumstances surrounding the incident.

The fisherman, identified as Moh Rusman, was out at sea at around 8 a.m. local time when he spotted a badly damaged boat carrying 15 people approximately 72 nautical miles from Poyapi Pier. The vessel was no longer seaworthy after being battered by high waves, leaving its passengers unable to continue their journey.

Recognizing the emergency, Rusman evacuated all 15 passengers onto his own fishing boat before towing the damaged vessel toward Poyapi Pier. The evacuation and return journey took around 10 hours, with the group arriving safely at the pier at about 6 p.m. local time.

Initial information indicates that the rescued individuals are Filipino nationals who had been working in Sampurna or Sabah, Malaysia. They were traveling back to the Philippines when their boat broke down in the middle of the sea due to severe weather conditions.

As a result of the incident, the group had been drifting at sea for approximately 13 days before being discovered. The survivors include one adult man, six adult women, six girls, and two boys.

Upon arrival on land, the rescued passengers were temporarily sheltered in the homes of local residents near Poyapi Pier while awaiting further assistance from authorities.

The Buol Police Department said it immediately responded to the incident by visiting the site and coordinating with the Indonesian Navy, the regional disaster mitigation agency (BPBD), and the local government.

“All foreign nationals have been evacuated to a health facility to undergo medical examinations to ensure their condition after being at sea for days,” said Ridwan, the head of public relations at the Buol Police.

Authorities are currently collecting identity data from the rescued individuals and securing the area around Poyapi Pier, which is being used as a temporary shelter. Further steps, including coordination with immigration officials and the Philippine authorities, are expected as part of the follow-up process.

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