rescue teams They resumed localization work of the four Spanish citizens missing after the tourist boat they were traveling in sank off the island of Padar, Indonesia, where strong currents and bad weather … time makes research difficult. So far, only the remains of the boat have been found.
The missing were found on board the wooden ship KM Putri Sakinah, which wrecked late this Friday while heading from Komodo Island to Padar, in the waters of Labuan Bajo, East Nusa Tenggara province, according to local authorities.
Until now, seven people were rescuedincluding the children’s mother and sister – also a minor – as well as several members of the Indonesian crew, including the captain and a local tourist guide, the local search and rescue agency said.
On the second day of the operation, teams recovered the remains of the boat approximately five nautical miles from the site of the shipwreck. The head of the Maumere search and rescue office, Fathur Rahman, said among the finds mentioned were parts of the boat’s hull, a gas cylinder and sections of the captain’s cabin.
Fathur regretted the strong currents, intense rains and waves of up to 1.5 meters which slowed down the search, although he assured that the rescue teams had continued the operation. “despite difficult weather conditions”.
In Spain, Valencia CF confirmed this Saturday the identity of the missing father, Fernando Martín (44), coach of Valencia CF Femenino, and expressed its deep regret for what happened, sending his “support and condolences” to his family and friends.
Martín continues in an unknown parade along with his three children, aged 9 to 12, while his wife and one of the couple’s daughters were rescued from the boat and are doing well. The family found themselves vacationing in Indonesia, a tourist destination that has been attracting increasing numbers of European visitors in recent years.
Indonesia’s Meteorology, Climatology and Geophysics Agency (BMKG) said the sinking was likely due to intense waves caused by unfavorable weather conditions resulting from a wave formed on Christmas Day in the south of the country. According to local authorities, the boat’s engine lost power before it was hit by waves and began to accelerate.
Sources from the Spanish Ministry of Foreign Affairs indicated that they were in contact with Indonesian authorities and that the consulate in Jakarta had been activated to pay attention to the two Spanish survivors of the accident, of whom they confirmed that They are “out of danger”as well as to transport personnel to Labuan Bajo and contact families of those affected.
Labuan Bajo in East Nusa Tenggara has become a hotspot for Indonesian tourism as it is the main gateway to the UNESCO-listed Komodo National Park, known for its Komodo dragons and island scenery. However, the rapid growth of maritime tourism has also raised concerns about ship security and surveillance.
Maritime accidents involving tourist boats occur periodically throughout the archipelago, especially during the monsoon season, when weather conditions have suddenly changed.
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