Middle School Student Found Dead After Being Swept Away by Waves at Jatimalang Beach in Purworejo

Purworejo, Central Java – October 11, 2025 — A 13-year-old boy from SMP Negeri 17 Purworejo was found dead on Saturday morning after being swept away by strong waves at Jatimalang Beach three days earlier, rescuers and authorities confirmed. (detikcom)

The victim, Ridho Mukti Rozakhi, a seventh-grade student residing in Somorejo Village, Bagelen District, had gone missing on Wednesday, October 8, 2025, around 1:00 p.m. local time while playing and swimming with four classmates at the beach in Jatimalang Village, Purwodadi District.

The incident occurred when Ridho and his friends, all aged between 13 and 14, decided to cool off and swim near the shoreline during their visit to the southern coast. According to initial reports, a sudden large wave hit the group about ten minutes after they entered the water and pulled Ridho away from the shallow area. His friends immediately ran to seek help from nearby locals.

Local residents quickly alerted authorities, prompting a joint search and rescue (SAR) operation conducted by Basarnas, BPBD, SAR Dewaruci teams, TNI, Polri, and volunteers. However, despite intensive searching over several days, rescuers were unable to locate Ridho until early Saturday.

Around 06:30 a.m., a local fisherman spotted a body on the shoreline approximately 12 kilometers west of the original incident site, near Munggangsari Beach in Grabag District. The fisherman immediately reported the sighting to authorities, who confirmed that the victim was indeed Ridho after identification by Inafis personnel from the Purworejo Police Department. (detikcom)

After recovery, Ridho’s body was transported to RSUD dr. Tjitrowardojo Purworejo for further medical examination. Relatives, including Ridho’s family, were present during the identification and confirmed his identity before the body was taken for burial procedures.

Authorities stressed that the southern coast of Purworejo, including Jatimalang Beach, is known for its strong currents and unpredictable waves, and warned locals and visitors to exercise caution when swimming. They also urged parents, teachers, and guardians to monitor children closely anytime they visit coastal areas. (Purworejo24.com)