Search and rescue operations are underway in Indonesia after a tourist boat sank off the coast of Labuan Bajo in East Nusa Tenggara province on Friday night. The incident involves Martin Carreras Fernando, a coach for Valencia CF Women‘s team, and his three children, all of whom are currently missing [[1]]. Authorities have confirmed seven of the eleven people on board the KM Putri Sakinah have been rescued,with challenging weather conditions hindering the ongoing search efforts.
Search and rescue teams have recovered debris from a tourist boat that sank off the coast of Indonesia, carrying Martin Carreras Fernando, a coach for Valencia CF Women, and his three children. The incident occurred near Labuan Bajo, in the East Nusa Tenggara province, and the search for the four missing individuals is ongoing.
“The search for the four victims, who are foreign nationals from Spain, is still underway,” said Fathur Rahman, head of the Maumere Search and Rescue Office, according to Antara on Sunday, December 28, 2025.
Authorities have so far evacuated seven of the 11 people who were aboard the KM Putri Sakinah when it went down in the waters off Padar Island, West Manggarai, East Nusa Tenggara, on Friday night, December 26.
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On Saturday, December 27, search teams located items belonging to the KM Putri Sakinah, including gas tanks, wreckage from the vessel, and the captain’s cabin.
The combined search effort utilized Rigid Inflatable Boats (RIBs) from the Manggarai Barat Search and Rescue Post, Sea Rider KSOP Labuan Bajo, RIB Lanal Maumere, RIB Ditpolair Polda NTT, and a Kapal KPC Ditpolair Polda NTT vessel. Crews searched the waters north of Padar Island from morning until 6:00 PM local time.
“The third day of searching for the four Spanish nationals will continue tomorrow,” Rahman stated.
The search has been hampered by challenging conditions, including waves between 0.25 and 1.5 meters high, strong currents around Padar Island, and heavy rainfall reducing visibility. “However, this has not diminished the spirit of the combined search and rescue team,” he added.
Authorities have clarified the identities of the missing individuals, confirming they were a family consisting of a father, one child, and two sons. This detail emerged after reviewing and correcting passenger manifests.
Two Spanish nationals, previously reported as survivors and evacuated on Friday night, December 26, have been identified as the wife and one child of the missing father.
In addition to the family, four crew members, including the captain of the KM Putri Sakinah, and a tour guide were also among the survivors.
The missing individuals have been identified as Martin Carreras Fernando, Martin Garcia Mateo, Martines Ortuno Maria Lia, and Martinez Ortuno Enriquejavier.
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(rfs/gbr)
