Search Expanded for Four Spaniards Missing in Indonesia Boat Sinking

Labuan Bajo: Indonesian rescue teams on Sunday expanded the search area for four Spanish nationals missing after a tourist boat sank off Padar Island near the resort town of Labuan Bajo, as operations entered their third day amid challenging sea conditions.

The joint Search and Rescue (SAR) team widened the search radius to up to 5.25 nautical miles from the accident site, according to Fathur Rahman, head of the Maumere SAR office, who spoke from Labuan Bajo. The operation marks the third day since the incident occurred on Friday, December 26, in waters within Komodo National Park, a major tourist destination in East Nusa Tenggara province.

Earlier, rescuers evacuated seven of the 11 people aboard the tourist vessel KM Putri Sakinah, which sank on Friday night near Padar Island.

Rahman said multiple assets have been deployed, including rigid inflatable boats from the West Manggarai SAR post, patrol vessels from the Labuan Bajo port authority, units from the marine police, the Indonesian Navy base in Labuan Bajo, and a fast patrol craft operated by the Sea and Coast Guard.

He added that the SAR vessel KN SAR Puntadewa, carrying 27 rescuers and support personnel from the Maumere SAR office, was en route to reinforce the operation and was expected to arrive in Labuan Bajo at around 8:30 p.m. local time.

“All SAR teams are continuing intensive search efforts today. We hope the third day will bring results,” Rahman said.

During the second day of the operation, rescuers discovered debris approximately five nautical miles from the accident site, including a gas cylinder, sections of the hull, and part of the captain’s cabin.

Search teams continued combing waters north of Padar Island from morning until 6:00 p.m. local time using multiple patrol and rescue vessels. Authorities said the operation would resume the following day if the missing victims are not found.

Rahman noted that search efforts have been hampered by waves measuring between 0.25 and 1.5 meters, strong currents, and heavy rainfall that reduced visibility.

“Despite these obstacles, the joint SAR team remains committed and motivated,” he said.

Further verification of the passenger manifest confirmed that the four missing Spanish nationals are members of the same family — a father and his three children.

Two other Spanish nationals who survived the incident were identified as the mother and one child. The remaining survivors include four crew members, among them the vessel’s captain, and a tour guide.