Labuan Bajo, East Nusa Tenggara — The fifth day of search operations for three missing passengers from the sunken tourist vessel Putri Sakinah ended without results on Tuesday, as powerful sea currents continued to obstruct underwater efforts in the waters off Padar Island, part of Indonesia’s Komodo National Park.
Joint search and rescue teams confirmed that no victims were located during Tuesday’s operation. Only fragments believed to be from the vessel were recovered from the search area.
“We have not yet achieved any findings on the fifth day,” said Fathur Rahman, Head of the Maumere Search and Rescue Office and the designated SAR Mission Coordinator, speaking from the operational command post at Marina Labuan Bajo Port on Tuesday evening.
According to Rahman, the primary challenge remains the extreme strength of underwater currents, which reached speeds of up to eight knots — far exceeding the safe limit for diving operations, typically around one knot.
“At that level, the current has a severe impact on diver safety and effectiveness,” he explained. “It significantly limits how long and how deep our teams can operate.”
Advanced Technology, Limited Conditions
Despite deploying a wide array of resources, including more than a dozen trained divers, 12 search vessels, underwater sonar systems, seabob propulsion devices, and thermal drones, the search yielded no new leads.
The sonar equipment, provided with assistance from the East Nusa Tenggara Regional Police, is capable of scanning underwater objects within a 200-metre radius. Thermal drones operated by Basarnas were used to monitor the sea surface for signs of the missing victims. Both methods, however, were constrained by environmental conditions.
Rahman confirmed that search efforts will continue on Wednesday, with additional sonar support scheduled to be deployed in hopes of expanding underwater coverage.
Missing Family Members
The three individuals still unaccounted for are Martin Carreras, a Spanish national who serves as a coach for Valencia CF’s women’s B team, and his two young sons. A daughter who had been missing alongside them was found earlier on Monday morning.
The tragedy has drawn international attention, particularly in Spain, where Carreras is known within football circles.
What Happened
The Putri Sakinah, a traditional Indonesian pinisi-style tourist vessel, sank on Friday evening (26 December 2025) at approximately 8.30pm local time while transiting the waters between islands near Padar.
On board were 11 people: six Spanish tourists from the same family, four crew members, and one tour guide. The Spanish family consisted of Carreras, his wife, and their four children, aged between 7 and 12 years old.
Seven people survived the incident — including all crew members, the tour guide, Carreras’ wife, and their youngest daughter — and were rescued shortly after the sinking.
A Challenging Maritime Environment
The waters surrounding Padar Island are known among mariners for strong tidal currents and rapidly changing sea conditions, particularly at night. While the investigation into the cause of the sinking is ongoing, rescue authorities continue to emphasise that environmental factors are playing a decisive role in the complexity of the search.
As operations move into their sixth day, hopes remain focused on calmer seas — and on the relentless efforts of rescue teams working against time and tide.
