“We are continuing the search for victims. We are extending the search for another three days,” the head of the Maumere Search and Rescue Office, as SAR Mission Coordinator (SMC), Fathur Rahman, informed on Sunday.
He conveyed this statement when asked about the progress of the search for four Spanish nationals who went missing last week after the sinking of the Putri Sakinah boat.
The four missing people include the female coach of Valencia FC and her three children.
The search has been ongoing for 10 days after extending the search from January 2-4, 2026.
During the 10-day search, a joint SAR team consisting of the Search and Rescue Office, the Water Police Directorate of the East Nusa Tenggara Regional Police, the Indonesian Navy, the Maritime Security Agency (Bakamla), and other relevant parties successfully recovered the bodies of two missing victims.
The first victim found was a 12-year-old child, the son of the Valencia coach, while the second victim, found dead on Sunday, was Martin Carreras Fernando, a coach with Spain’s Valencia women’s football team B.
Rahman said that the search for the two other victims was extended after the joint SAR team found the body on Sunday.
Following the discovery of one victim this morning, indications suggest the possible discovery of other victims, prompting the search to be extended by three days.
“With the discovery of one victim this morning, there are signs that another victim might be found, so we are extending the search for another three days,” he noted.
If no other victims are found during the three-day extension, the search will be closed but will continue to be monitored.
Furthermore, one of the obstacles encountered during the search for victims was weather conditions, which were difficult to predict.
On December 26, 2025, six Spanish tourists were involved in the sinking of the vessel off Padar Island, consisting of Fernando, his wife, and their four children.
His wife and another child were reported safe, along with four crew members, including the boat’s captain and a tour guide.
Preliminary findings indicate that the semi-phinisi tourist boat suffered engine failure while sailing from Kalong Island to Padar Island.
Unable to maneuver, the vessel was struck by high waves, eventually capsizing and sinking in the Padar Strait.
Weather and sea conditions at the time of the incident are believed to have worsened the situation and hampered self-rescue efforts by both crew and passengers.
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Translator: Kornelis Kaha, Resinta Sulistiyandari
Editor: Azis Kurmala
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