JAKARTA, March 31 (Xinhua) -- All 21 crew members of the motor vessel Nazila 05 were rescued alive by a joint search and rescue (SAR) team after the boat sank in waters north of Taliabu Island in Indonesia's North Maluku province, local authorities said on Tuesday.

Rescuers approach survived crew members during a rescue operation in the waters of South Bolaang Mongondow, North Sulawesi, Indonesia, March 31, 2026. All 21 crew members of the motor vessel Nazila 05 were rescued alive by a joint search and rescue (SAR) team after the boat sank in waters north of Taliabu Island in Indonesia's North Maluku province, local authorities said on Tuesday. (Photo: Basarnas Palu/Handout via Xinhua)

The survivors were found drifting on a raft in the waters of South Bolaang Mongondow, North Sulawesi, at around 08:24 a.m. local time by a SAR team from the Palu Search and Rescue Office in coordination with the Gorontalo SAR Office.

"The total number is 21 people, consisting of one captain, one chief engineer, and 19 crew members. This is a fishing vessel," said Head of the Palu SAR Office Muh Rizal, adding that the SAR operation has been officially closed after all members were found safe.

Rizal added that all people have been evacuated and are being transported to the nearby city of Gorontalo before being taken to a local hospital for medical examination."

The motor vessel was earlier reported to have sunk after departing from Taliabu Island to Kema Village on Sunday evening, leaving all the passengers missing, the Palu Search and Rescue Office reported on Monday.

Rescued crew members are transferred by rescuers during a rescue operation in the waters of South Bolaang Mongondow, North Sulawesi, Indonesia, March 31, 2026. All 21 crew members of the motor vessel Nazila 05 were rescued alive by a joint search and rescue (SAR) team after the boat sank in waters north of Taliabu Island in Indonesia's North Maluku province, local authorities said on Tuesday. (Photo: Basarnas Palu/Handout via Xinhua)