Merauke, Jubi – A joint search and rescue team is searching for two people who were reported missing in a forest area within the operational area of PT BIO in Ulilin district, Merauke regency, South Papua province, on Monday (05/10/2026).
The two people still missing are 40-year-old Benyamin Klau and 40-year-old Nurkholis.
The incident began on Friday morning (02/10/2026), when Benyamin went into the forest within PT BIO’s operational area to hunt. However, he had not returned home by Sunday (04/10/2026).
Benyamin’s friend, Nurkholis, then entered the forest to search for him. However, by about 10:21pm local time on Sunday, Nurkholis had also failed to return.
The families subsequently reported the incident to the Merauke Search and Rescue office, known as Basarnas.
After receiving the report and coordinating with the Ulilin Police Sector and Ulilin Military District Command, the Merauke Search and Rescue Office deployed a six-member rescue team to the last known location of the two men.
The joint search involves personnel from the Merauke Search and Rescue Office, Ulilin Police Sector, Ulilin Military District Command, PT BIO, and the families of the two men and local residents.
The last known location of the two men is estimated to be 160.61km from the Merauke Search and Rescue Office. The search team travelled by land, with the journey taking about four hours.
During the search operation, the team used a thermal drone to help scan the forest area.
Weather conditions at the search site were reportedly to be partly cloudy, with easterly winds blowing at speeds of 10 to 20 kilometers per hour.
The joint search and rescue team is continuing its efforts and coordinating with relevant parties to locate the two missing men. (*)
