Spanish Tourist Swept Away by Waves at Malang Bridge Beach Found, 3 Victims in Search

Kapanlagi.com - One Spanish tourist who was swept away by waves at Jembatan Panjang Beach in Malang Regency was successfully evacuated. The victim, named Ana Brieva Ramirez (23), was found in a safe condition and immediately received treatment.

"The Joint SAR Team found one survivor named Ana Brieva Ramirez in a safe condition," said Muhamad Hariyadi, Head of the Search and Rescue Office (BASARNAS) Surabaya in Malang, on Sunday (9/07/2023).

The victim was found on Bantol Beach, 4.77 Nautical Miles (NM) away from the initial incident location. The victim was found around 10:45 AM and immediately evacuated.

"Found on Bantol Beach, 4.77 NM from LKK, according to the search area conducted by SRU 1," he explained.

Meanwhile, the Public Relations Division of Malang Police added that the victim was then evacuated to Bantur Health Center. The victim is currently under close observation by medical personnel and security from Bantur Police Station.

"The victim has been evacuated from Bantol Donomulyo Beach to the Search Post at Jembatan Panjang Bantur Beach, still alive and conscious, and is currently being handled by Dr. Aurick's Medical Team from Brawijaya University (UB)," he explained.

Previously, one victim named Pendik alias Mohamad Ruspandi was rescued in the Kondang Merak Beach area of Malang Regency. Pendik was found in a safe condition on Saturday evening (8/7). Pendik was a tour leader in a group of 29 people.

Pendik is a resident of Tirtomulyo Street, Kolagen Village, Kec. Tajinan, Malang Regency. The victim has the status of a student at Brawijaya University majoring in Public Administration.

So far, two victims have been found alive, while three others, one of whom is a foreigner named Janna Olivia Soland (24) from Switzerland, are still missing.

1. Chronology of Events

Credit: Darmadi Sasongko

The chronology of this incident is that two tourists from the Faculty of Medicine, Brawijaya University (UB), were swept away by waves on the south coast of Malang Regency. Meanwhile, three other people, including a tour guide and a leader, were also swept away while trying to provide assistance.

The incident occurred on Saturday (8/7/2023) at around 08.00 AM local time at Tanjung Sirap, Sumberbening Village, Bantur District, Malang Regency. The group consisted of domestic students (Indonesian citizens) and some foreigners from various countries.

They had arrived at the location the previous evening and stayed overnight in the vicinity. The group consisted of 17 Foreign National Citizens (MNA) and 12 Indonesian Citizens (WNI).

The group departed from Hotel Trio 2 in Malang City on Friday (7/7/2023) at 02.00 PM local time using a bus and arrived at Jembatan Panjang at 05.30 PM.

The group was picked up by tour leaders named Pendik (Malang Travel) and Bayu (Ciliwung Camp) and engaged in activities with provided tents.

On Saturday (8/7) at around 08.00 AM local time, a group of 8 people went swimming at the incident location. Among the group were Ana Brieva Ramirez (24) from Spain and Jana Olivia Soland (24) from Switzerland.

Both of them were unable to swim back to shore due to the strong waves and got stuck on a small island. Then Made, Bayu, and Pendik intended to help them. However, suddenly a big wave came and swept the three of them away.

2. Dragged 2.5km From the Beach

Ana, as one of the survivors, recounted that staying calm was the only key to surviving the onslaught of the waves that dragged her.

A member of Pengmas FK UB, Aurick Yudha Nagara, said that Ana managed to swim and take refuge on one of the uninhabited islands. She then waited for evacuation while making a sand hole to rest.

Aurick also added that Ana saw a flashlight from the beach. The next morning, Ana woke up and immediately searched for a way out by walking on the uninhabited island. After five hours of walking and exploring the island, Ana finally met a local resident and was immediately taken to the nearest post.

(kpl/dar/nas)