Lion Air crash: Indonesian diver dies during search and rescue operation

An Indonesian diver died on Friday (Nov 2) during a search and rescue operation for the downed Lion Air flight.

Mr Syachrul Anto, 48, is believed to have died due to decompression issues.

Commander of the search and rescue task force, Colonel Isswarto, told local media on Saturday that search and rescue efforts were stopped at 4pm on Friday as daylight was fading.

But Mr Syachrul had yet to surface at about 4.30pm.

Mr Syachrul Anto, 48, is believed to have died due to decompression issues.PHOTO: FACEBOOK/SYACHRUL ANTO
Mr Syachrul Anto, 48, is believed to have died due to decompression issues.PHOTO: FACEBOOK/SYACHRUL ANTO

He was taken by ship to the dock of the Jakarta International Container Terminal at Tanjung Priok, where a search and rescue command centre has been set up, at about 9.30pm.

Local news portal TribunJakarta.com reported that doctor’s notes from Koja District Hospital said the diver was rushed to the hospital at 10.10pm unconscious and with no pulse.

An experienced diver, Mr Syachrul had helped out in several evacuation operations - including the Air Asia Flight QZ8501 crash in 2014, and ferry accidents around Indonesia - said his friend Yosep Safrudin in a Facebook post.

Mr Syachrul had just returned home to Surabaya from a humanitarian mission in Palu, which was rocked by an earthquake and tsunami last month.

"A very noble hero... and experienced diver," wrote Mr Yosep early Saturday morning, adding: "Only one week back from Palu, he asked to be picked up at the airport two days ago, borrowed my diving equipment and asked to be taken to the JT610 evacuation post at Tanjung Priok... I will miss his laughter and kindness."

The search and rescue operation for Lion Air Flight JT610, which plunged into the Java Sea on Monday morning en route from Jakarta to Pangkal Pinang with 189 passengers on board, has entered its sixth day.

Divers are still scouring the sea bed to recover plane parts, human remains, and the aircraft's second "black box", the cockpit voice recorder.

The Strait Times

Other News

Vietnam supports UNESCO's people-centred approach, multilateral cooperation: official

Vietnam supports UNESCO's people-centred approach, multilateral cooperation: official

Van affirmed Vietnam’s support for the UNESCO80 reform roadmap, focusing on the organisation’s core mandate, priority areas, interdisciplinary approach, and the special status of the Vietnam National Commission for UNESCO, and UNESCO representative offices, alongside efforts to diversify resources and strengthen global partnerships to enhance the organisation’s effectiveness.

Regional media highlight significant step in Vietnam’s leadership structure

Regional media highlight significant step in Vietnam’s leadership structure

Under General Secretary and President Lam’s leadership, Vietnam is expected to maintain a balanced foreign policy, strengthen its regional standing and accelerate economic development, thereby improving living standards and creating new opportunities for international investors, according to the India-based platform Devdiscourse.

Laos identifies 10 key tasks to build independent, self-reliant economy

Laos identifies 10 key tasks to build independent, self-reliant economy

Laos will step up agricultural production to ensure food security, meet domestic demand and expand exports; encourage the development of agro-processing industries, including those related to rubber, aquatic products, cassava and sugarcane, as well as fertiliser and animal feed production, in order to increase added value and create jobs in rural areas.

Malaysia steps up cyber security resilience

Malaysia steps up cyber security resilience

To ensure accountability, Malaysia plans to finalise the Cybercrime Bill this year which addresses both cyber-dependent and cyber-enabled offences, introducing stricter penalties and prison terms to enhance deterrence.

US public opinion positive about PM Pham Minh Chinh’s visit

US public opinion positive about PM Pham Minh Chinh’s visit

Public opinion in the US is generally positive about Vietnamese Prime Minister Pham Minh Chinh’s trip to the US from September 17-23 to attend the 78th session of the United Nations General Assembly, which took place immediately after the upgrading of the Vietnam - US relations to a comprehensive strategic partnership on the occasion of US President Joe Biden’s official visit to Vietnam.