Stephanus Risdiyanto, the head of the Class III Labuan Bajo Harbormaster and Port Authority Office (KSOP), said that the four Spanish citizens were foreign tourists visiting Labuan Bajo for a holiday.
“The four victims are foreign tourists, Spanish citizens, who, based on initial data, were family,” he informed in a statement on Saturday.
The four Spanish nationals were among the 11 people aboard the KM (motor boat) Putri Sakinah, which sank in the Padar Strait, Labuan Bajo, on Friday (December 26) night.
The Indonesian-flagged, traditional passenger vessel was carrying 11 people, including crew members, tour guides, and passengers, including foreign tourists.
Risdiyanto said the accident is suspected to have been caused by abnormally high sea waves, exceeding two meters, which caused the vessel to capsize and sink.
Shortly after receiving information from the ship’s agent, his office immediately coordinated and deployed an emergency response team, along with personnel from the National Search and Rescue Agency (Basarnas), the Indonesian Navy, the local water and air police, and other parties to conduct a search and rescue (SAR) operation.
Based on preliminary evacuation results, of the 11 passengers on board, seven were found safe: two foreign tourists, also Spanish citizens; four crew members; and one tour guide.
“They have been successfully evacuated to Labuan Bajo and are safe,” Risdiyanto assured.
Meanwhile, four other Spanish citizens remain missing and are being searched for by a joint SAR team.
“SAR operations are continuing, prioritizing personnel safety and taking into account local weather and water conditions,” he added.
The Directorate General of Sea Transportation of the Transportation Ministry also ensured the continuation of intensive coordination with all relevant parties in the search and evacuation process.
The incident began when the KM Putri Sakinah tourist boat, carrying 11 passengers, departed from Komodo Island for Padar Island to continue its tour at 8:00 p.m.
However, at 8:30 p.m. the boat experienced engine failure and sank.
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Translator: Muhammad Harianto, Resinta Sulistiyandari
Editor: Azis Kurmala
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