Labuan Bajo: Motorboat Runs Aground, 37 Tourists Evacuated

LABUHAN BAJO, NusaBali.com -  A rescue team evacuated 37 tourists from a motorboat that ran aground in the waters off Labuan Bajo, East Nusa Tenggara, on Saturday, August 5, 2023.

Head of the National Search and Rescue Agency (Basarnas) - Maumere, Supriyanto Ridwan, said that the boat, Duta Samota, was carrying 33 foreign tourists and four local tourists.

"The boat ran aground after hitting a reef around Kelor Island at 1:30 p.m. local time (05:30 GMT)," he said.

In addition to the 37 tourists, there were four crew members on the boat. They were also evacuated to Labuan Bajo Port, about 5.86 nautical miles from the location of the grounding.

Based on information provided by the crew, the boat had been sailing from Lombok, West Nusa Tenggara, since Wednesday, stopping at several islands, including Komodo Island and Kelor Island.

The boat got dragged into shallow waters while leaving Kelor Island and sprung a leak, causing water to enter from the left side of the hull.

In addition to the rescue team, other boats around the grounding location also helped evacuate the passengers and their belongings. *ant