LABUAN BAJO, Indonesia — East Nusa Tenggara (NTT) Regional Police have identified 17 individuals to be questioned as witnesses in the sinking of the tourist vessel KM Putri Sakinah, a disaster that claimed the lives of a Spanish football coach and three of his children. As of Friday, investigators had interviewed eight of these witnesses, with plans to complete the remaining nine interviews imminently.
“The investigation is actively ongoing. Today we plan to examine nine more witnesses, bringing the total number to 17,” stated Kombes Henry Novika Chandra, Head of Public Relations for NTT Police, in an interview with detikBali. He emphasized that the probe, led by the West Manggarai Police’s Criminal Investigation Unit and Water and Air Police, is now entering a crucial phase of analysis and evaluation to determine the primary cause of the accident.
The questioning focuses squarely on establishing whether any criminal negligence contributed to the deaths. “The investigation aims to uncover if there was any negligence that resulted in loss of life,” Chandra clarified. The witnesses being summoned include the vessel’s crew and other parties directly involved in the operational and tourism service aspects of the voyage. Investigators are delving into critical areas such as ship handling, engine condition, and the implementation of emergency safety procedures.
“Saksi-saksi yang diperiksa itu yang berada di kapal saat kejadian (The witnesses being examined were those on board the vessel at the time of the incident),” Chandra confirmed.
Authorities have already gathered witness statements and supporting documents as evidence for the case, though Chandra declined to specify the exact nature of the evidence collected. The findings from this phase will determine if any further legal steps will be taken.
The semi-pinisi boat sank in the Padar Strait of Komodo National Park on the evening of December 26. Among those on board were Fernando Martin Carreras, coach of the Valencia CF women’s B-team, and his family. While his wife and youngest child survived, the coach, his two sons, and his daughter perished. The daughter’s body was recovered on December 29, but the search for Mr. Carreras and his two sons continued into its eighth day on Friday, utilizing sonar and thermal drone technology.
The witness interviews mark a pivotal shift from the extensive search and rescue operation to a formal forensic and legal examination, seeking answers for a grieving family and concerns over maritime safety standards in one of Indonesia’s premier tourism regions.
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