LABUAN BAJO, Indonesia — As the search for the sunken Pinisi Putri Sakinah entered a critical phase, the grieving family of the missing arrived at the edge of the sea with a simple, desperate hope: to recover their loved ones and bring them home to Spain.
Two relatives of Mar Martínez Ortuno—the wife of missing Valencia CF coach Fernando Martín Carreras—have traveled to this remote port town to be closer to the search efforts. Speaking at the Marina Waterfront Labuan Bajo, a family member named Alvaro gave voice to the anguish of a family torn between two continents by tragedy.
“We hope they are found soon so we can take them home,” Alvaro stated, as reported by Detik.com. His brother-in-law, Fernando, along with three children aged 8, 9, and 12, disappeared when the tourist vessel sank on Friday night. “So that we can bring them back home.”
The family expressed profound gratitude for the relentless work of the Indonesian joint search and rescue (SAR) teams, who have combed the challenging waters of the Komodo National Park for days. “We are very thankful for the efforts of the government here to find them,” Alvaro said, confirming Fernando Martín’s role as a coach for Valencia CF Women’s B team.
Coordination and Compassion at the Command Post
Stephanus Risdiyanto, Head of the local Harbormaster and Port Authority (KSOP), described a meeting with the family where they requested clear and consistent updates on the search’s progress. While the family offered any assistance needed, authorities assured them that the current SAR capabilities were sufficient to handle the operation.
“The family expressed appreciation and thanks because we also explained to them that we work day and night,” Stephanus said, outlining the communication. “They also stated that if needed, they would provide help, but from the SAR perspective here, our existing potential is already capable of handling this emergency.”
The Ongoing Search: A Race Against Time and Elements
The recovery of a life jacket from the vessel on Sunday confirmed the drift patterns in the area but also highlighted the difficult conditions facing rescuers. Divers have contended with powerful currents and periods of heavy rain that reduce visibility, making the underwater search particularly hazardous.
The four missing individuals are Fernando Martín Carreras and his three children: Martines Ortuno Maria Lia, Martin Garcia Mateo, and Martinez Ortuno Enriquejavier. Mar and her youngest daughter were among the seven survivors rescued on the night of the sinking, which occurred just 30 minutes into a short transit between islands after the vessel reportedly lost engine power.
A Universal Hope Resonating in Bali
For the international community based in Bali, a primary gateway for travel to Komodo, the arrival of the Spanish family makes the tragedy palpably real. Their presence on the docks transforms the incident from a distant news item into a shared human experience of loss and longing.
The family’s dignified plea—focused on gratitude, cooperation, and the universal desire to lay loved ones to rest in their homeland—resonates deeply. It underscores the cross-cultural bonds formed in moments of crisis and the shared vulnerability of all who seek adventure in Indonesia’s magnificent but formidable natural landscapes.
As the SAR operation presses on, the collective hope, both in Labuan Bajo and abroad, remains fixed on granting this family the closure they seek, allowing a beloved coach and his children to finally make the journey home.