No sign of missing Singapore diver as search continues
Ms Rinta Paul Mukkam's brother, Mr Roy Paul Mukkam, posted this picture on his Facebook on Thursday (July 13) evening, asking for help and information. Photo: Roy Paul Mukkam's Facebook page
SINGAPORE — A Singaporean diver remains missing in Indonesian waters as search-and-rescue operations stretched into the second day on Friday (July 14).
Ms Rinta Mukkam, 40, was last seen during a dive at Gili Lawa Laut, an island north-east of Komodo Island, at around noon on Thursday.
Mr Jonathan Miwu, an officer with Indonesia’s National Search and Rescue Agency (Basarnas) told TODAY that Ms Rinta did not return to the surface after the dive. He said that the agency was notified by the diver’s guide at around 2pm and took more than an hour to reach the dive spot.
Two boats carrying 16 personnel — including three divers — were sent out for the operation. Rescuers searched for three hours until 7pm on Thursday, and from 6am to 7pm the next day.
Speaking in Bahasa Indonesia, Mr Miwu said: “It’s quite hard to find her because of the strong current.”
The search will continue for seven days, in line with Basarnas’ protocol, he added.
In a widely shared post on Facebook on Thursday night, Ms Rinta’s brother Roy made a call for help for contacts in Indonesia. He said that his sister had been on a diving trip with operator Seamore Papua and was on board the KLM Seamore Papua vessel.
When contacted by TODAY, he said that he was out at sea helping with the search, and a helicopter would be activated on Saturday morning.
He was flown to Indonesia by Ms Rinta’s employer FlightGlobal, a global aviation data company where she works as an associate regional sales manager.
A FlightGlobal spokesperson said that the company had found out about her disappearance through news reports.
“We have been in touch with Rinta’s family, and we assisted her brother with some urgent travel arrangements in Indonesia. We continue to monitor the situation closely. Our hearts are with Rinta’s family during this terrible time, and we hope for her safe return,” the spokesperson said.
Seamore Papua said that it was "hoping...for her safety and survival", without giving more information.
The Singapore Embassy in Jakarta has been in close contact with the local authorities in Gili Lawa Laut, said Singapore's Ministry of Foreign Affairs (MFA).
A ministry spokesperson added: "The Embassy is deploying a Consular officer to the location. MFA and the Embassy will continue to provide the necessary consular assistance to the next-of-kin of the missing Singaporean.” ADDITIONAL REPORTING BY FARIS MOKHTAR
