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Fishermen roped in for SAR efforts

LOCALS in East Belitung, Indonesia, are not leaving matters to chance in the search for the missing Indonesia AirAsia airplane.

While the Indonesian government, with the help of neighbouring countries, including Malaysia, Australia and Singapore, are flexing their military muscle in the search-and-rescue (SAR) operations, the East Belitung regency has enlisted a “humbler” line-up to aid the mission.

At least 50 fishermen have been deployed and villagers on nearby islands roped in to be on the lookout.

Dr Basuri Tjahaja Purnama, head of the East Belitung Regency, yesterday said local authorities had mobilised all manner of assistance, including unconventional methods, in searching for the plane.

Traversing on boats, the fishermen are sifting through the waves in a 100km stretch at the East Belitung coastline near Nangka and Panjang Islands, leaving echoes of the throbbing hum of diesel engines in their wake. Nothing has turned up so far, but they are not giving up.

At the Old Manggar Seaport, Dr Basuri said he planned to expand the search area to include smaller islands nearby. There are more than 10 near the shores of East Belitung.

“I have stationed up to six fishermen on Nangka Island. On Panjang Island, we have the settlers keeping an eye on the surrounding waters.

“I’m planning to expand the search area. It’s not easy. Whatever we do depends on the weather.”

The seaport houses two marine and navy posts. At least 20 fishing boats are involved in the SAR operations.

On reports of fishermen claiming to have heard a mid-air explosion in the area, Dr Basuri said this had yet to be confirmed.

The fishermen claimed to have heard the boom between 7am and 8am local time on Sunday. Indonesia AirAsia Flight QZ8501’s signal was last detected at 7.18am.

Dr Busari, whose brother, Basuki Tjahaja Purnama, is Jakarta governor, said some people had claimed to have heard roaring engines, akin to those of an aircraft, low above East Belitung waters.

“But when they looked above, there was nothing. However, they believe that the sound might have something to do with the plane.”

Local newspaper Pos Belitung (picture on Page 21) has suggested that the missing jetliner had met an explosive end, following claims by a fisherman that he had heard an explosion off the eastern end of the island on Sunday.

Most of the islanders in Tanjung Pandan here seem unperturbed by the incident, which is being reported extensively worldwide.

“I don’t know what to make of the incident. It’s hard enough to see the family members crying,” said taxi driver Iwan, 32, yesterday.

Belitung Island, which is northeast of Jakarta and has a population of more than 1.3 million people, may not be as popular among tourists as Bali. However, since yesterday, most of the hotels here have been fully booked by journalists.

Newsmen from all over the world have headed here, which is near where flight QZ8501 was last detected; within a 500km-odd radius between Pontianak, West Kalimantan and Tanjung Pandan.

Manggar, which is 90km from Tanjung Pandan, is described by locals as being the “southernmost end” of Belitung Island, despite being called “Belitung Timur (East)”.

It is learnt that the SAR operations centre is currently based in Pangkalpinang, the capital city of Bangka-Belitung province.

Three Royal Malaysian Navy vessels, namely KD Lekir, KD Lekiu and KD Pahang, are expected to arrive at the Tanjung Pandan shipping port today.

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