Tragic End to Four-Day Search: 3.5-Year-Old Boy Found in Surabaya River
In a heart-wrenching turn of events, the search for a 3.5-year-old boy who fell into a drain in Babatan Wiyung, Surabaya, on Tuesday (24/12/2024) ended with the discovery of his body on Friday (27/12/2024). The toddler was found floating in the Makmur River, near SMPN 34 Surabaya’s bridge, around 2 PM WIB.
The body of the toddler, later identified as MR, was found submerged under a thick layer of water hyacinth. A joint team, consisting of personnel from the Disaster Management Agency (BPBD), National Search and Rescue Agency (Basarnas), police, and volunteers, worked tirelessly to clear the area, employing a relay system and extra manpower to expedite the process.
"With the help of volunteers, we managed to clear a significant amount of water hyacinth," stated Eko Aprianto, the head of the joint search and rescue team.
When the body was discovered, it was placed in a yellow body bag and immediately transported to the shore. An ambulance then took the toddler’s body to Dr. Soetomo General Hospital for further proceedings.
Earlier, the search involved numerous teams using various methods, including river and drain searches, as well as ground investigations along the riverbank. Three excavators and six boats were deployed to aid in the search, with several hundred rescuers working day and night to find the toddler.
The tragic event has once again highlighted the importance of child supervision and safety, especially near potential hazards such as drains and water bodies.
