
Two Universitas Gadjah Mada (UGM) students, Septian Eka Rahmadi and Bagus Adi Prayogo, who lost their lives in a capsized boat accident in the waters of Debut, Manyeuw District, Southeast Maluku Regency, have been transported to their respective hometowns in Sumbawa Besar, West Nusa Tenggara, and Bojonegoro, East Java, on Tuesday, Jul. 1, 2025.
Before being flown home, the bodies of the two students were honored in a farewell ceremony attended by local residents and government officials.
The handover ceremony was led directly by the Regent of Southeast Maluku and attended by regional leadership (Forkopimda) as well as thousands of local citizens at Karel Sadsuitubun Langgur Airport.
The solemn procession served as a symbol of the community’s solidarity and close bond with UGM students serving in the region.
UGM Vice-Rector for Student Affairs, Community Service, and Alumni, Dr. Arie Sujito, expressed gratitude and appreciation to all parties involved in the evacuation and recovery process of the students who were involved in the maritime accident.
“We extend our heartfelt thanks to the local government, Kagama, and the local community who assisted in the rescue, search, evacuation, and the repatriation of the students’ remains,” said Vice-Rector Sujito to the media on Wednesday, Jul. 2, 2025.
Vice-Rector Sujito also affirmed that UGM will continue to provide support to the five other students who survived the incident.
Currently, two students have physically recovered, while the remaining three are still undergoing intensive treatment and psychological monitoring.
Assistance is being provided not only medically but also psychosocially, both in person and online.
“We are prioritizing the students’ physical and mental well-being. Those who survived are being supported so that the trauma does not develop into a long-term psychological burden,” he added.
Dr. Andi Sandi Antonius Tabusassa Tonralipu, the University Secretary, stated that UGM will also conduct an internal evaluation to strengthen the safety and security protocols of the KKN program, particularly by reassessing the suitability of remote and island locations.
Although the location had been used in previous KKN programs, the increasingly extreme weather conditions have introduced additional risks.
While technical briefings, safety guidelines, and personal protective equipment have been part of the KKN protocols, these procedures will be further reinforced.
“Safety guidelines, briefings, and equipment were already provided, but going forward, enforcement will be tightened, especially for high-risk locations,” he explained.
Regarding the KKN students stationed in the Manyeuw unit, Dr. Tonralipu stated that a team of psychologists and field supervisors is providing intensive psychological support to ensure the students’ emotional well-being.
The university is also offering flexible options for students still in the field, whether they choose to continue or return to Yogyakarta.
The decision will be made based on the students’ comfort, mental readiness, and safety considerations.
“We will not impose anything on our students. Safety and humanity remain our highest principles in the implementation of the community service mission,” said Dr. Tonralipu.
Dr. Djarot Heru Santoso, the UGM Directorate of Community Service Secretary, added that the bodies of both students were flown this morning from Langgur to their respective hometowns, escorted by field supervisors and supported fully by the university and members of Kagama in West Nusa Tenggara and East Java.
As a final tribute, members of the UGM academic community performed salat ghaib (prayer for the deceased) for the two students on Wednesday, Jul. 2, 2025.
The prayer was held simultaneously at three locations: the UGM Campus Mosque (East), the MIC UGM Mosque (West), and the Al-Ihsan Mosque at the Faculty of Forestry (FKT UGM).
“May this prayer and tribute serve as an expression of love and solidarity from the entire academic community to these two outstanding sons of the nation,” concluded Dr. Tonralipu.
Author: Triya Andriyani
Post-editor: Lintang Andwyna
Photographer: Donnie