inp.polri.go.id - Makassar. Police have questioned 21 witnesses in the alleged negligence case of the sinking of the Nurul Salsa Ship, which occurred on Wednesday, June 17, 2026, in Selayar waters, Selayar Islands Regency, South Sulawesi.
"We have questioned 21 witnesses, including the captain, crew, shipping agents, and the harbormaster. The case is still under investigation, so no suspects have been identified," said South Sulawesi Regional Police Public Relations Chief, Senior Superintendent Didik Supranoto, at Bayangkara Hospital in Makassar on Wednesday (7/22/2027).
The articles that will likely be applied, if any suspects are named, are Article 474 paragraph 2 of the Criminal Code (KUHP), Article 551 letter A of the KUHP, and Article 20 of the KUHP.
"We will apply these charges based on their portion of the offense or their culpability in the sinking of the Nur Salsa Ship. We will report on developments later. This is still under investigation, so no arrests have been made," he said.
Based on the manifest data, there were 45 passengers, but later identification and reports revealed the number of casualties was 76.
"There was an overload, this was because the manifest stated 45 people, but it turned out to be 76 (onboard the Nurul Salsa Ship). According to the aforementioned article, there was data manipulation," he said.
Regarding the seaworthiness of the vessel, he said that the authority granting the permit, in this case the harbormaster, not the police, is responsible for determining its seaworthiness. Further information will be provided after the harbormaster and other authorities determine its suitability.
Article 474 of the Criminal Code, concerning negligence resulting in death, carries a maximum penalty of five years. Article 551 letter A, for falsifying letters or documents, in this context, refers to the sinking of the KM Nurul Salsa, carries a maximum penalty of eight years.
"Then, Article 20 of the Criminal Code, which concerns participation in a crime, can be interpreted as a perpetrator of the crime. The punishment will be adjusted accordingly," said Didik.
Regarding the contents of the ill-fated ship, whether there were any animals, such as cows or other animals, besides people, he said, this will be revealed later, as the investigation is still ongoing, including whether one of the ship's engines failed and was forced to run, leading to the suspected accident.
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