A search and rescue (SAR) operation for two hikers on Mount Jantan, Karimun Regency, Riau Islands, ended with positive results. The two hikers, identified as M. Rizki and Dika, were found safe in the early hours of Friday (July 10).
Head of the Tanjungpinang Class A SAR Office, Fazzli, revealed that the incident began when the two individuals hiked up the mountain on Thursday (July 9) afternoon. A critical situation occurred when they lost their way around 9:00 PM WIB. Communication between the hikers and the outside world was completely cut off as their mobile phone batteries ran out of power.
Responding to an emergency report received at 10:33 PM WIB, a rescue team from the Tanjung Balai Karimun SAR Post was immediately deployed to the location. In their search effort amidst the darkness, the team utilized thermal drone technology to detect body heat, combining it with an intensive sweep along the hiking trail together with joint elements from the police, BPBD (Regional Disaster Management Agency), village officials, and local residents.
The hard work of the joint team paid off at 12:40 AM WIB. The two hikers were found approximately 50 meters from the first hiking post. After confirming they were in good condition, the victims were immediately evacuated to the SAR post to be reunited with their families.
With the discovery of all victims, the search operation was officially closed at 1:10 AM WIB. The Tanjungpinang SAR expressed appreciation for the synergy of all elements involved in this rescue operation, which acted quickly before weather conditions or the hiking terrain posed a threat to the hikers' lives.
