BLITAR – A fisherman swept away by powerful waves at Pathuk Lesung near Serang Beach in Blitar Regency remains missing as rescuers enter the final day of the official search operation. Authorities have expanded the search area along the southern coastline in an effort to locate the victim.
Joint rescue teams continued combing the coastal waters on Monday despite rough sea conditions that have complicated the operation since the first day. Strong waves in the area have slowed search movements and limited the use of some rescue equipment.
Wahyudi, head of the Blitar Regional Disaster Management Agency (BPBD), said high and powerful waves remain the main challenge for search teams in the field. According to him, authorities planned to evaluate the operation later in the afternoon.
“The biggest obstacle in the field is the strong wave activity,” Wahyudi said. “Later today, we will decide whether the search should continue or stop.”
Rescue teams divided the search operation into several Search and Rescue Units (SRU) to cover a wider area. Each unit monitored different sections of the coastline near the last known location of the victim.
Teams expanded the search zone up to 15 kilometers along the coast from the initial point of the incident. To the west, rescuers monitored waters near Serit Beach and Tambakrejo, while eastern teams searched coastal areas toward Sumbersih.
“Teams continue sweeping the shoreline to maximize the chances of finding the victim,” Wahyudi explained. “The search radius currently reaches about 15 kilometers in both directions.”
Monday marks the final day of the search period according to standard operating procedures for search and rescue missions. After completing the day’s operation, the National Search and Rescue Agency (Basarnas) and other teams will hold a joint evaluation.
The incident occurred on Tuesday, March 3, at around 3:20 p.m. local time. Four residents from Selopuro Village in Blitar were fishing on a cliff near Pathuk Lesung, located east of Serang Beach.
Blitar Police spokesperson Aiptu Saiful Muheni said a sudden large wave struck the cliff where the fishermen were standing. The powerful surge forced all four fishermen into a dangerous situation near the edge of the rocks.
Three of the fishermen managed to escape and reach safety. However, one fisherman identified by the initials FTP was dragged into the sea and has not been seen since the incident.
Since then, rescue teams consisting of BPBD personnel, police officers, volunteers, and search and rescue units have continued scanning the coastline. Authorities hope the expanded search area will increase the chances of locating the missing fisherman.