TVRI Reporter Swept Away by River Currents in Papua, Missing for Two Days

Yanto Idorway, a reporter for the state-owned broadcaster TVRI in West Papua, has been reported missing after being swept away by river currents while on assignment at the Memti Waterfall tourist site in Sisrang Village, Pegunungan Arfak Regency, Papua. The incident occurred on Saturday, July 18. According to the Manokwari Search and Rescue (SAR) Office, search operations conducted until Sunday evening, July 19, have not yet yielded any results. Despite the joint SAR team optimizing aerial and ground searches, no signs of the victim have been found. Yefri Sabaruddin, head of the SAR Office, stated that the second day of the SAR operation concluded at 6:42 PM WIT and will resume on Monday morning, July 20, with an expanded search area. The search involves a joint team comprising personnel from the Manokwari SAR Office, the Pegunungan Arfak Resort Police, and the Kodim 1812/Pegunungan Arfak. The team moved to the scene of the incident using one rescue car and nine operational vehicles belonging to SAR potentials. After reaching the furthest point accessible by vehicle, the team continued on foot for approximately three kilometers. "Vehicles cannot reach the scene of the incident, so the joint team had to walk," he said. During the operation, Yefri explained, the team faced several obstacles, including difficult terrain, a long access route, foggy road conditions, and cold temperatures in the mountainous region. The joint team is utilizing a thermal drone for aerial surveillance and is sweeping along the river to detect any traces of the victim who was swept away by the current on Saturday, July 18, around 2:00 PM WIT. "The team also installed safety lines to ensure the area around the incident site could be inspected to the maximum," he said. The victim was reportedly swept away by the current after slipping while crossing the river towards the Memti Waterfall in Sisrang Village. Two relatives of the victim attempted an independent search but were unsuccessful. Information Source: CNN Indonesia