Facts and Complete Chronology of Students Drowning in Sungai Kampar, Ordered by Senior to Walk with Closed Eyes

Dream - Chandra Ari Kusuma (19), a student of Politeknik Caltex Riau (PCR), drowned in Sungai Kampar, Riau, during a camping activity some time ago.

At that time, the victim and several of his friends were ordered by a senior to walk with their eyes closed with a black cloth. Eventually, the victim was swept away and found dead.

To further investigate this case, the police have questioned 14 witnesses. Here are the facts.

14 Witnesses Have Been Examined

Head of Public Relations of the Riau Regional Police, Kombes Pol Nandang Mu'min Wijaya, stated that they have examined 14 witnesses to determine the chronology of the incident.

The witnesses consist of 13 students and one Head of the Electrical Engineering Study Program at PCR.

"14 witnesses have been examined. The examination was conducted to determine the chronology of the incident," said Nandang in Pekanbaru, Thursday, June 8, 2023.

Chronology of the Incident

Nandang explained that initially, the victim along with Ari Dodi Romeo, Fikri Nakwan Rosandri, and Septia Riandra Mandala, were ordered by their seniors to clean their bodies in the river after bathing in a muddy pool on Saturday, June 3, 2023, around 11:00 AM.

"Then one of the senior students told the victim and his friends to close their eyes with a black cloth and hold a stick, guided by senior Rizal Akbar to the river," said Nandang.

At that time, one of the students accompanying the victim admitted that he could not swim and asked to be taken to the riverbank. Shortly after, cries for help were heard from the victim and his friends.

"The victim's friend and Aldi Pratama immediately tried to pull Septia Riandra Mandala. Meanwhile, Fikri and Ari Dodi were helped by senior David. However, the victim could not be saved and was swept away," Nandang revealed.

Victim Found Five Days After the Incident

Since the victim could not be saved by his friends, a joint SAR team was deployed to search for the missing victim. The search was conducted for several days.

After a five-day search, the victim was finally found floating about 300 meters from the incident location on Wednesday, June 6, 2023, around 6:00 PM.

Not an Official Campus Activity

Based on the examination conducted with the Chairman of the Committee, Wadi Muhammad Zaki, the event for the inauguration of prospective members of the PCR Electrical Engineering Student Association was not an official campus activity.

"Because it was done without the knowledge of the campus authorities," he added.

Regarding this matter, the police have also secured evidence such as black cloth eye covers, wooden sticks, and iron as teaching aids for the student participants.

source: Merdeka.com.