Inp.polri.go.id - Palembang. A joint Search and Rescue (SAR) team comprising the South Sumatra Regional Police Water and Air Police Directorate, the National SAR Agency (Basarnas), and local residents recovered the bodies of two victims who fell from a barge in the Baung River, Ogan Komering Ilir Regency, on Saturday (8/8/2026).

"We deployed officers alongside the joint team to optimize the search and evacuation operations," said South Sumatra Director of Water and Air Senior Superintendent Heru Agung Nugroho.

The victims, identified as S (60) and D (17), accidentally fell into the river on Friday, while a tugboat was towing a truck-laden barge toward Palembang. Emergency officers located both bodies floating downstream near the incident site during an intensive search. 

The joint team evacuated the bodies to the Moh Hasan Bhayangkara Police Hospital in Palembang for autopsy procedures. Preliminary visual examinations showed no signs of violence.

South Sumatra Police Head of Public Relations Senior Superintendent Nandang Mu'min Wijaya urged all waterway users to prioritize safety equipment and precautions.

(mg/ax/pr/rs)