Sukabumi, West Java. The National Search and Rescue Agency (Basarnas) deployed three helicopters on Thursday to rescue 71 fishermen stranded on a wooden harbor in Sukabumi, West Java, after it was cut off from the mainland by a powerful storm the previous day.

Fifty of the fishermen were airlifted in multiple helicopter trips, while the remaining 21 were rescued by boat. Unfortunately, one fisherman was found dead, and two others are still missing.

The incident occurred when strong winds and massive waves struck the wooden bridge connecting the harbor to the shore in Tegalbuleud District around 6 a.m. on Wednesday, causing the bridge to collapse and leaving dozens of fishermen stranded on the harbor, located about one kilometer offshore.

Four men who were crossing the bridge at the time were swept into the sea. One man managed to swim to safety, but a 51-year-old fisherman named Rahmat was later found dead, approximately 14 kilometers from the harbor.

Two other fishermen, identified as Dede Yusuf (28) and Rohimat (36), remain missing.

The rescue operation began Thursday morning despite ongoing bad weather, as the stranded fishermen had been without food or water for over 24 hours.

"We initially deployed just one helicopter, but the military sent two additional helicopters to expedite the rescue effort during this critical time," said Basarnas Operational Director Brig. Gen. Edy Prakoso, speaking at the site of the rescue.

The harbor, originally constructed by an offshore iron ore mining company that has since ceased operations, is now primarily used by local villagers for fishing.

Add as a preferred source on Google +