Unpad SAR Unit Search for Lost Mountaineers in Arjuno-Welirang Mount in East Java

[Unpad.ac.id, 03/12/2012] Two members of Unpad SAR, Oktarian Iskandar and M. Rifqi Aziz, took part in searching for a lost mountaineer, Aji Kusuma Faqiudin, a student from SMKN 3 Surabaya, in Arjuno-Welirang, Pasuruan, East Java.

On Friday (16/11), Faqiudin, together with seven of his hiking partners, went hiking without prior permission from the authority. Due to bad weather, three of the hikers decided to cancel the trip whereas two others went half way and decided to stay at Pos 2 Kopkopan. Only Faqiudin and Abdul persisted.

On their way up, Faqiudin decided to take some rest whereas Abdul continued hiking. Having reached the peak, went downhill on the same track he took on his way up. However, Abdul did not come across Faqiudin. They reported to the authority the following day.

The search began on Sunday (18/11). Upon hearing the news, Unpad SAR Unit joined the team, grouped in SRU 13 to begin hestic search in which the team swept the track the hikers had previously taken, which is the Tretes. The team was hindered by the bad weather; heavy rain and strong wind.

On day four, the team received information that SRU 7 had located Faqiudin, having been previously found by a sulfur miner at the mount peak. All units were requested to reconvene at Pos 3 Pondokan to start evacuating the lost mountaineer.

Faqiudin was found in a good condition despite fatigue from not eating. He survived by drinking rain water. He was evacuated by using hardtop off-road jeep that sulfur miners would normally use to transport sulfur. Having reached the nearest post, he was then transported to hospital with ambulance.

The team consisted of BASARNAS, BPBD, WANADRI, SAR UNPAD and other SAR Units reconvened for briefing and to close the search.

Unpad SAR finds it compulsory that hikers ask for permission from local authorities and be well informed about hiking prior to doing the activity.

 

Unit SAR Unpad

 

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