ACEH TENGAH | INDATANEWS.COM – A tragic drowning incident claimed the life of a 10-year-old girl at Lake Lut Tawar on Saturday (May 2, 2026), after she was reported missing while swimming with her family.
The victim, identified as Zahra (10), a student from Paya Beke Village in Silih Nara District, Aceh Tengah, was found lifeless in the lake following an intensive search by joint rescue teams.
Chronology of the Incident
Read Also: Aceh Tengah Police Mark May Day 2026 with ‘Jumat Berbagi’ Social Action According to Aceh Tengah Police Chief AKBP Muhamad Taufiq, through Lut Tawar Sector Police Chief AKP Ismail Muda Daulay, the family arrived at the lake's tourist shoreline in Rawe Village, Lut Tawar District, at around 11:00 a.m.
At approximately 11:45 a.m., Zahra was playing and swimming in shallow water with her cousin under the supervision of her parents.
However, at around 1:24 p.m., her father, Hasan Basri (48), realized that his daughter was no longer at the original spot. It is suspected that she was swept away by currents about seven meters toward the center of the lake.
Her father immediately attempted to rescue her and briefly managed to grab hold of her. Unfortunately, due to strong currents and waves, he lost his grip, and the child was pulled under the water again.
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Search and Recovery Efforts
Following the report, personnel from Lut Tawar Police, along with the Regional Disaster Management Agency (BPBD) and Search and Rescue (SAR) teams of Aceh Tengah, were deployed to the scene.
Read Also: Aceh Tengah Police Intensify Patrols to Prevent Wildfires During Dry Season An intensive search operation was carried out until the victim was finally located at approximately 2:50 p.m., about 18 meters from the shoreline.
Rescuers evacuated the body using an inflatable boat before transporting it by a BPBD emergency vehicle to Datu Beruh Hospital. The body arrived at around 3:45 p.m. and was taken to the morgue for further examination.
At 4:00 p.m., the victim's body was handed over to the family and brought back to their residence in Paya Beke Village.
TRANSPORT TO HOSPITAL: The body of the drowned child is placed into an ambulance for transport to the hospital for further examination. (PHOTO: Adli Safwan)
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During the operation, officers secured the scene, assisted in search efforts, and questioned witnesses.
Aceh Tengah Police urged the public to exercise greater caution when engaging in activities near water areas. Parents, in particular, are strongly advised to closely supervise their children to prevent similar tragedies in the future. (IDNC)
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