A tragic incident at Jami Waterfall in Maros, South Sulawesi, Indonesia, captured on video, has recently gone viral on social media. The video shows the final moments before two teenage girls drowned on Friday, July 12th, and was recorded by one of the victims’ friends.
How the Tragedy Unfolded
The video began with seven teenagers enjoying their time at the waterfall. They were swimming, laughing, and holding hands in a circle, completely absorbed in their fun. However, the joyful scene turned into a moment of panic when they tried to lie back in the water while still holding hands. As they counted to three, their grip slipped, and one of the girls began to struggle. Despite her efforts to stay afloat, she soon disappeared under the water.
What had been a happy scene quickly became one of fear and desperation as they desperately searched for their friend, knowing the situation was serious.
Authorities Confirm the Tragic Outcome
According to detikcom, the following morning, Saturday, July 13th, Towadeng, the head of the Maros Regional Disaster Management Agency (BPBD), confirmed that the bodies of the two victims, Tazkiyah Wulandari (17) and Salsabillah Azahra Allisa Anggraeni (17), were found. Their bodies were discovered about five meters underwater, likely trapped between rocks. Hamka, another BPBD Maros official, verified the video’s authenticity and explained that it captured the moment when the teenagers’ hands separated, leading to the tragic drowning.
Salsa Nurfadilah, a friend of the victims, shared that the group of eight friends had visited the waterfall that day. Only six of them chose to swim (Two men and four women). They began swimming around 10 a.m., took a lunch break, and then returned to the water just before the tragedy occurred.
From Joy to Tragedy
Salsa recalled that just moments before the tragedy, everyone had been laughing and having a great time. After their lunch break, they went back to the water, unaware of the danger. When the situation worsened, Salsa, who couldn’t swim, ran to a nearby house to get help. Unfortunately, their efforts arrived too late.
The Search and Recovery
A Search and Rescue (SAR) team managed to find the victims within 24 hours. Salsabillah’s body was located at 7:39 a.m. on July 13, 2024, and Tazkiyah’s body was found shortly after at 7:50 a.m. Both were discovered at a depth of five meters. Andi Sultan, Head of Operations and Alert Section at the Makassar Search and Rescue Office emphasized the need for safety measures, such as wearing life jackets, when visiting natural water bodies.
About the Victims
According to Dream.co.id, both Tazkiyah and Salsabillah were members of the Maros District 2023 Paskibraka, a prestigious youth organization. Salsabillah had been chosen as the flag bearer for the 78th anniversary of the Republic of Indonesia at the district level in Maros.
The loss of Tazkiyah Wulandari and Salsabillah Azahra Allisa Anggraeni is an example of how quickly joy can turn into sorrow. Their families, friends, and the community are left to mourn and reflect on this heartbreaking event.
Watch the videos here:
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