Discovery of drowned woman in Piayu Laut shocks residents, investigation now underway
Residents of Piayu Laut, Sei Beduk District, Batam, were stunned by the discovery of a young woman’s body entangled in a kelong on Wednesday, 10 September 2025.
Shocking Discovery at Sea
The body was first noticed by a fisherman near a kelong, who initially mistook it for a doll. Upon closer inspection, villagers confirmed it was a human body floating face down, with one arm caught in the fishing structure. The shocking find occurred around 4:00 PM, coinciding with low tide.
Eyewitness Accounts and Evacuation
Local resident Habibi described how neighbors gathered quickly after word spread. “At first, we thought it was just debris. When we zoomed in with a phone camera, it became clear it was a person,” he said. Residents immediately alerted their neighborhood chief, who then coordinated with the police.
The victim was evacuated using a stretcher carried across 200 meters of shallow waters before being lifted to an ambulance by police and SAR personnel. Authorities prevented locals from taking photos during the evacuation.
Victim Identified as Young Woman
The deceased was later identified as Siti Patimah (19), originally from Langkat, North Sumatra, and residing in Sagulung, Batam. At the time of discovery, she was dressed in a black long-sleeved shirt, grey trousers, a grey hijab, and black shoes.
Police and Local Authorities Respond
Sei Beduk Subdistrict Head, Rifandi Malik, confirmed that the administration immediately coordinated with police following reports from residents. Kapolsek Sei Beduk, Iptu Alex Yasral, also verified the incident, explaining that the case had been handed over to the Water Police Unit (Satpolair) Polresta Barelang for further investigation.
No Signs of Violence Found
An initial external examination revealed no visible injuries or signs of foul play on the body. However, the exact cause of death will be determined through further forensic analysis at the hospital. Investigators are now piecing together the circumstances that led to her drowning.
Atmosphere in Piayu Laut Changes
The usually busy fishing spot became eerily quiet after the incident. One resident noted that locals who typically fished for shrimp until late at night have since avoided the area. Fear and unease now linger in the coastal community.
The sudden death of 19-year-old Siti Patimah has unsettled the fishing community of Piayu Laut and sparked a police investigation into the circumstances surrounding her drowning. For Batam residents and nearby Singaporeans who closely follow maritime safety across the strait, the tragedy highlights the vulnerability of coastal communities and the importance of swift emergency response in Indonesia’s waters.
Sources: Ulasan.co (2025) , Batam Pos (2025)
Keywords: Batam Waters, Piayu Laut, Siti Patimah, Kelong Incident, Sei Beduk Police, Barelang Polair
