Barupertama Observatory Incident
 The Primary Observatory Range, from where the Staff was reported missing on the morning of 3 July 2019, presumed to have dissapeared the night before during the landfall of Tropical Storm Lao. | |
| Date | 19 July 2019 |
|---|---|
| Duration | Missing for 1979 Days |
| Location | Barupertama Aerospatial Observatory Range, Cukobai |
| Also known as | Gunungangin National Atmospheric Research Station (GNARS) |
| Type | Disappearance |
| Outcome | Unsolved, Currently Under Investigation |
The Barupertama Observatory Incident (Huajiangite: 主孔和何堂失踪; Alphabetized Huajiangite: Zhǔkǒng hé Hétáng shīzōng; Zhukong and Hetang Disappearance) was a mass disappearance which took place in the Barupertama Aerospatial Observatory Range, near the peak of the Gunungangin Volcano on the Vanugalu District of Cukobai. The Huajiangite scientists specifically were reported missing. The two stations that were missing scientists were the Huajiangite Stations: the Zhukong Observation Station (主孔观测基地; Zhǔkǒng guāncè jīdì and the Hekong Astronomical Observatory (何堂天文台; Hétáng tiānwéntái). The crew of the Zhukong Observation Station were the last of the two stations that communicated with another station, the <station here> at 8:31 PM. The disappearance is believed to have occurred sometime between 8:45 PM on 19 July to 3:30 AM Local Time the following day, during which all communications from the station were lost due to the concurrent landfall of Tropical Storm Lao. Emergency communications were opened up to give the all clear signal for all stations, however neither Zhukong nor Hekong responded to the signal. Further communication attempts were made by other stations to both of the affected stations but no communications were established.
An informal investigation was started by the authorities that were monitoring the Barupertama Observatory, which found all of the scientists missing from both stations. This prompted a ground search and rescue team was organized by the Kaval 5 hours after at around 8:30 AM. a reported 46 Huajiangite and 14 Cukobaian scientists and site personnel were reported missing on the site. An analysis of both sites indicated two different possibilities. The Zhukong Observation Station analysis reported that there was a forced entry, and that much of the communications equipment was damaged or destroyed beyond repair. The Hetang Astronomical Observatory analysis reported that there was no forced entry, and that the communications equipment had been left untouched.
As of 1 August 2019, the search has found 15 of the missing staff. All other remaining scientists missing, and unofficially presumed dead. The search for the missing pilots has become one of the most controversial searches, prompting the 2019 Cukobai-Tangdi Summit.
Victims
While the entire primary crew of Zhukong and Hetang Stations were all Huajiangite nationals, and primarily of Qi descent, a number of support staffers were also present who were Cukobaian, largely of either Dusunpan or Cuko-Whaeamoean persons from the mainland districts. Following the official recognition of the disappearance by the Kaval on 4 July, the Barumpertama Observatory released the names of all scientists and support staff unaccounted for to the public.
| Name | Status | ID Number | Station Assignment | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Tan Min 谭閔 Tán Mǐn |
Missing | 42032 | Zhukong |