The captain of a tourist speedboat that crashed into a coral reef near Labuan Bajo, one of Indonesia’s premier gateway destinations to Komodo National Park, has died after spending ten days in hospital following the accident.
The victim, identified as Tohak, 56, died at Siloam Hospital Labuan Bajo after suffering serious injuries in the July 11 crash, authorities confirmed on Tuesday.
The accident occurred in waters off the northern coast of Bidadari Island, a popular stop on island-hopping tours departing from Labuan Bajo in East Nusa Tenggara.
Captain Was the Only Person Seriously Injured
According to police, Tohak was operating the tourist speedboat Hook Up when it struck a coral reef during the voyage.
The impact threw him from the vessel’s bridge, leaving him critically injured. He was rushed to hospital, where he remained under medical care for ten days before succumbing to his injuries.
“That’s correct. He passed away yesterday,” Leonardo Marpaung, head of the Water and Air Police Unit at West Manggarai Police, said on Tuesday.
His body has since been transported to his hometown in Banyuwangi, East Java, for burial.
Six Tourists Escaped Without Serious Injury
The speedboat was carrying six Indonesian tourists at the time of the accident.
Authorities said none of the passengers were killed or seriously injured. The captain was the only person to suffer life-threatening injuries after being thrown from the bridge during the collision.
According to the Class III Labuan Bajo Harbourmaster and Port Authority (KSOP), the vessel struck a coral reef off the northern shoreline of Bidadari Island before losing control.
“The boat hit a coral reef along the northern coast of Bidadari Island. After the impact, it became difficult to control and moved erratically before coming to rest near the shoreline,” Harbourmaster Stephanus Risdiyanto said following the incident.
Safety in One of Indonesia’s Fastest-Growing Marine Destinations
The tragedy comes as Labuan Bajo continues to attract growing numbers of domestic and international visitors exploring Komodo National Park, where high-speed boats are the primary means of reaching surrounding islands.
While marine accidents in the area remain relatively uncommon, the incident highlights the importance of strict navigation standards and operational safety in one of Indonesia’s busiest adventure tourism destinations.
Authorities have not announced whether the crash remains under investigation or whether additional findings regarding its cause will be released. For travelers planning boat excursions in Labuan Bajo, officials continue to emphasize the importance of using licensed tour operators and following crew safety instructions throughout their journey.
