Passenger dies after two boats collide near Indonesian port

One passenger has died following a collision between two small boats near the Port of Kaimana in West Papua, Indonesia, on the evening of November 9, 2026, according to local police statements reported by Indonesian media.

The accident occurred at approximately 10:30 p.m. local time (WIT), near a green navigation light marking the entrance to the port. The vessels involved were two fibreglass longboats, and the impact reportedly threw several passengers into the water.

Iptu Rahmatullah, head of the Kaimana Police’s water police unit, confirmed the incident to local media on November 10. Police received the initial report from members of the public at approximately 11:00 p.m., around half an hour after the collision.

Witnesses and nearby residents immediately assisted those thrown into the water and helped evacuate the passengers. One person was found unconscious and transported to Kaimana Regional General Hospital, where medical personnel confirmed the passenger’s death.

Police investigate circumstances of collision

According to preliminary information provided by police, poor visibility during the nighttime crossing may have prevented the two boats from seeing each other before the collision. However, investigators have not established the definitive cause of the accident.

Authorities are continuing to examine the sequence of events and circumstances surrounding the incident. Police have also urged the public not to circulate unverified information while the investigation remains underway.

The number of passengers aboard the two vessels and the total number of people requiring medical treatment have not been confirmed in the available reports.

The incident occurred close to the entrance of Kaimana’s port, an important maritime access point for communities in the surrounding coastal region of West Papua.