Sorong, West Papua (ANTARA) - The Sorong search and rescue office (Basarnas) has temporarily halted an operation to find a Swiss tourist missing in Misool forest, Raja Ampat District, West Papua Province, due to the difficult terrain.
The Swiss man remained missing and his condition was unknown, Sunarto, head of the Sorong Basarnas, said here Thursday. Difficult terrain hampered efforts to reach a spot where the Swiss tourist was asking for help through a satellite, he noted. The location is fully covered by steep corals.38 minutes ago
A view of Raja Ampat tourist destination in West Papua Province, Indonesia. (ANTARA/Ernes/ FA)
"The search operation has been temporarily halted, and monitoring of the spot where the victim asked for help is still being monitored for the next operation," he said.
On October 4, the Swiss tourist left Gamta Kampong for Atkari Kampong in Misool, on foot. The journey to cover the distance takes 10 days on foot.
He went into Gamta jungle without a guide. On the eighth day, he sent a signal asking for help and evacuation through the International Emergency Response Coordination Center (IERCC) 911.
"The victim asked for evacuation because he has no longer logistics stock and could not continue his journey to the planned destination," Sunarto said.
Indonesia's Papua Island comprising West Papua and Papua Province is mostly covered by intact and thick tropical rain forest, home to various endemic flora and fauna.
Raja Ampat, particularly, is often called "Heaven on Earth", "Miracle of Papua", "Underwater Paradise on Earth", or "Real Wonder of the World" for its mesmerizing marine panorama.
The district has a geopark that is much more beautiful than the one in Halong Bay, Vietnam.
In 2012, the district was included in the list of Real Wonders of the World. It has been recognized as one of the world's 10 most beautiful diving sites, and rated number one for its rich marine flora and fauna diversity.
The district has around 1,700 islands, including the unoccupied and most beautiful Isle of Wayag, which is made of karst or limestone from other isles.
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Reporter: Ernes B Kakisina, Fardah
Editor: Sri Haryati
