Missing Swiss tourist in Papua found alive

The view of Raja Ampat, West Papua. (ANTARA Papua Barat/Ernes Broning Kakisina)

However, the man did walk by himself through the forest and was finally found by natives not too far from Atkari Village

Sorong, West Papua (ANTARA) - A national from Switzerland, Aurelien, who was missing in the forest of Misool, Raja Ampat District, West Papua, was found by the people of Atkari Village, Monday.

Chief of the National Search and Rescue Agency (Basarnas) of Sorong, Sunarto, confirmed that the man has been found at 03:00 p.m. local time. Aurelien is currently safe and in good health at the village. Basarnas of Sorong is scheduled to evacuate him to Sorong by helicopter Tuesday, October 15.

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The Swiss national was on a ten-day road trip which began October 4, from Gamta Village to Atkari Village in Misool, according to Sunarto.

However, before the trip could be completed, on the 8th day, he asked for help and contacted the International Emergency Response Coordination Center (IERCC) 911.

Basarnas team were unable to locate and rescue him due to the unreachable area which had cliffs and had to call off the rescue later, Sunarto explained.

“However, the man did walk by himself through the forest and was finally found by natives not too far from Atkari Village,” Sunarto said.

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