Palembang, KOTABARI.COM – A tragedy unfolded in Sungai Borang, Palembang, South Sumatra, as a teenager named Aldo Afrilio (13) was reported missing and drowned on Wednesday (1/5/2024). However, sadness struck the family and the local residents as Aldo’s body was found lifeless.
The tragic incident began on Wednesday morning around 10:00 AM, when Aldo and six of his friends were playing by the banks of Sungai Borang. Unexpectedly, Aldo decided to swim alone towards the middle of the river, leaving his friends on the shore.
Realizing that Aldo was being carried away by the current, his friends made desperate attempts to rescue him. However, the swift current of Sungai Borang rendered their rescue efforts futile, and Aldo eventually drowned.
The Office of the National Search and Rescue Agency (Basarnas) South Sumatra immediately received the report on Monday (1/5/2024) around 11:45 AM. A search team from Basarnas swiftly moved into action and after an intensive search, Aldo’s body was found approximately 30 meters from the initial location of the incident.
Raymond Konstantin, the Head of Basarnas South Sumatra, expressed his condolences for the incident. “We found the victim at 3:20 PM by diving because the victim was still at the bottom of the river about 30 meters from the initial location of the incident,” he explained to detikSumbagsel, Wednesday (1/5/2024).
Upon discovery, Aldo’s body was evacuated and taken to the funeral home for burial procedures. The search and rescue operation (SAR) in Sungai Borang was declared complete and closed after the victim’s body was found.
“The drowning incident began on Monday morning around 10:00 AM. Before drowning, the victim, along with 6 of his friends, were playing by the banks of Sungai Borang. However, suddenly the victim swam alone towards the middle of the river while his friends were still playing by the riverbank,” Raymond clarified.
This tragedy serves as a reminder of the importance of awareness of water hazards, especially for children. Basarnas South Sumatra also urges the public to always be vigilant and cautious when near rivers or other bodies of water, as well as to strengthen awareness of the importance of supervising children when playing in potentially hazardous environments.