KM Nurul Salsa Reported Sunk, Two Passenger Found Alive

Makassar: Two survivors from the sunken KM Nurul Salsa have been found alive in the waters of Pangkep Regency.
 
Authorities identified them as Asmal (24) and Nurmiati (46), residents of Tangnga Hamlet, Tanamalala Village, Pasimasunggu District, Selayar Islands Regency.
 
“We found the survivors lying on top of a piece of styrofoam wearing their life jackets. We immediately evacuated them to Matala’ang Island,” Selayar Islands Police Chief AKBP Didid Imawan said in Makassar on Sunday, July 19, 2026.
 
The survivors had been stranded at sea for several days alongside three other people, who later died.
 
“The two survivors were forced to release the bodies of their three companions because they had begun to decompose,” Didid added.
 
Authorities have yet to confirm the identities of the three deceased victims.
 
Didid noted that the discovery of the two survivors in Pangkep Regency led authorities to revise their search area for the remaining missing passengers.  
 
“The Selayar Islands Police will coordinate with the Pangkep Police to continue our search efforts,” he said.
 
As of July 19, 2026, 59 survivors have been found, while 18 others remain missing. The Selayar Islands Police have urged the public to remain vigilant and report any findings to the authorities.
 
(Jonathan Sianto)