Manokwari, Jubi – Search and rescue (SAR) authorities have officially ended the search for TVRI West Papua presenter Yanto Idorway after seven days of operations, following his disappearance on Saturday.
Idorway was reported missing after being swept away while attempting to cross a river near Memti Waterfall in Sisrang Village, Arfak Mountains Regency, West Papua, where he had been travelling with two friends.
He is believed to have slipped before being carried away by the fast-flowing current. His companions initially searched for him on their own but were unable to locate him before reporting the incident to the Manokwari Search and Rescue Office.
The joint SAR team officially concluded the operation at 6 p.m. Papua time on Friday, in accordance with the National Search and Rescue Agency’s standard operating procedures.
On the seventh and final day of the operation, search teams faced thick fog around Memti Waterfall, cold temperatures, rapidly changing weather, and strong river currents. Despite these efforts, no trace of Idorway was found.
Reza Afrianto, head of operations and preparedness at the Manokwari Search and Rescue Office, said the search had been officially suspended after seven days.
He said the decision was made in accordance with standard operating procedures and following an agreement between the victim’s family and the joint SAR team.
“We will continue to monitor the situation. If credible signs of the victim’s whereabouts emerge in the future, the search operation can be reopened,” Afrianto said on Friday.
He explained that SAR operations may be terminated under three conditions: when all victims have been found, when the operation is deemed no longer effective based on the assessment of the search team, or when no signs of the missing person are found after seven days of searching.
Afrianto also apologised to Idorway’s family and the public that the search had not succeeded despite the team’s efforts.
“We extend our deepest apologies to Yanto Idorway’s family. We have done everything possible using our knowledge, skills, and available resources from Basarnas, the police, and the military. Ultimately, this is God’s will, and we deeply regret this tragedy,” he said.
Meanwhile, Idorway’s family expressed profound sorrow over the incident, particularly after the search was called off without finding him.
“We sincerely thank the SAR team for their swift response and dedicated efforts from the moment the report was received until the end of the search for our family member,” a representative of the Idorway family said during the evaluation meeting following the final day of the operation.
The family said they remained hopeful that the SAR team, local residents, or the Arfak Mountains Police would continue to report any information should Yanto be found.
On the final day of the operation, search teams examined gaps between rocks, searched approximately 1.6 kilometres of the river, and conducted aerial surveillance using a thermal drone within a one-to-two-kilometre radius of the site where he disappeared.
By 5:50 p.m. Papua time, all priority search areas had been covered, but the victim had not been located.
A joint evaluation involving the SAR team, supporting rescue personnel, and the victim’s family was held at 6:15 p.m., formally marking the end of the search operation. (*)
