LABUAN BAJO, Indonesia — Following the recovery of Valencia CF coach Fernando Martín Carreras, authorities have granted a crucial second extension to the search for his two missing sons, as the grieving family holds onto hope for their return.
The National Search and Rescue Agency (Basarnas) will continue operations for three more days, from January 5 to 7, marking a thirteenth day of searching since the KM Putri Sakinah sank in the Padar Strait on December 26. The decision was prompted by Sunday’s discovery of the coach’s body, refocusing the immense multinational effort on locating his children, aged 9 and 10.
“The family hopes to find both children within this three-day extension,” stated Budi Widjaja, Chairman of the Labuan Bajo Tourism Association, who is assisting the family. He expressed the family’s profound gratitude to Basarnas and all parties involved for their sustained commitment.
“The family is thankful and appreciates all parties who continue to support and are willing to extend the search period,” Budi added.
The family has been unwavering in their resolve, previously vowing not to return to Spain until all their loved ones are recovered. Of the four family members missing after the sinking, two have now been found: the coach’s 12-year-old daughter was recovered on December 29, and Coach Carreras was found on Sunday morning, approximately two kilometers from the wreck site.
The coach’s wife and their 7-year-old daughter survived the initial disaster. As the search enters its eleventh day, the mission’s scope has narrowed with painful clarity, its sole objective now being to bring the two young boys home and provide a complete, if heartbreaking, answer to a family and a community watching with bated breath.
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