28-3-2024 (JAKARTA) In the wake of the devastating tanker capsize incident in Japanese waters that claimed the lives of six Indonesian crew members, the Ministry of Transportation has announced a phased repatriation plan to bring the victims’ bodies back to their homeland. The somber news was conveyed by Hartanto, the ministry’s Director of Shipping and Maritime Affairs, during a statement released on Thursday.
“The delivery of bodies from Fukuoka to Tokyo began yesterday. Upon arrival in Tokyo, they will be repatriated to Jakarta in stages,” Hartanto stated, outlining the logistical arrangements for the solemn journey home. The repatriation process is expected to unfold between April 3 and April 8, a period during which the nation will mourn the loss of its citizens in the tragic incident.
The Ministry of Transportation is collaborating closely with the Ministry of Foreign Affairs to facilitate the repatriation of the six crew members who lost their lives when the South Korean-flagged Keoyoung Sun tanker overturned in the Shimonoseki waters off the coast of Japan on Wednesday. The incident, which is still under investigation but is believed to have been caused by inclement weather conditions, has left the Indonesian maritime community in shock.
According to Hartanto, the ill-fated chemical tanker had a total of 11 crew members on board, comprising eight Indonesians, two South Koreans, and one Chinese national. While the investigation into the precise cause of the incident continues, the focus has now shifted to ensuring the safe return of the deceased and providing support to their grieving families.
The Directorate General of Sea Transportation has pledged to coordinate with the Ministry of Foreign Affairs and the crew manning agencies responsible for each of the victims to ensure that their rights and entitlements are upheld during this trying time. “We, along with relevant institutions, will continue to search for missing victims,” Hartanto affirmed, acknowledging the ongoing efforts to account for all those affected by the tragedy.
Judha Nugraha, the Director for Protection of Indonesian Citizens at the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, shed light on the situation, confirming that the Japan Coast Guard (JCG) had recovered six bodies of Indonesian crew members, while one individual, Ryan Yudatama Lizar, was found safe. However, the search for Asep Saepudin, another Indonesian crew member, continues unabated.
Lizar, who was initially hospitalized for treatment following the incident, has since been discharged and is on the road to recovery. “If everything runs smoothly, it is planned that Lizar will return to Indonesia on April 1 or 2,” Nugraha stated, providing a glimmer of hope amidst the grief.
