Third Day of Search Yields No Sign of Missing Infant; Police Dispel Social Media Rumors
The search for a baby reported to have drowned in the Babatan drainage canal in Wiyung, Surabaya, continues into its third day, with no signs of the infant found as of Thursday evening (26/12/2024). Kompol Slamet Agus Santoso, the head of Wiyung Police, has affirmed that the baby remains missing, refuting rumors circulating on social media that the child has been found.
"Please trust the information from the authorities. We are working tirelessly to find the baby," Agus confirmed to suara-surabaya.net on Thursday evening, urging the public not to believe unofficial information or hoaxes circulating on social media. He added that the search operation will continue, with updates provided by authorities.
The baby was reportedly swept away while its mother was crossing the canal during heavy rain on Tuesday (24/12/2024). false reports on social media claim that the baby has been found entangled in water hyacinth.
Didit Arie Ristandy, the head of the Surabaya SAR Operation and Readiness Section, reported that no signs of the victim were found during the third day of the search operation on Thursday. He assured that the search will continue on Friday (27/12/2024), with the operation being planned and led by the Surabaya Police’s SAR Operation Commanders.
The main challenge faced by the search and rescue team is the dense growth of water hyacinth in the canal. To tackle this, the team will utilize an excavator provided by the Public Works Department to clear the water hyacinth along the canal.
Didit also revealed that drones will be used in the Friday search operation to help cover the area more effectively. The search will focus on the stretch of the canal from the SMP Negeri 34 bridge to Kali Wonokromo. The team remains optimistic about finding the baby, hoping to provide closure to the family and the community.
"The search will continue until the baby is found, regardless of its condition. We are committed to finding the baby for the sake of the family and the community," Didit stated.
