LABUAN BAJO, Indonesia — On the tenth and final scheduled day of a desperate multinational search, rescue teams recovered the body of a man believed to be Fernando Martín Carreras, the Valencia CF women’s B-team coach who disappeared with his family after a tourist boat sank in Komodo National Park.
The body was found floating on the surface of the water near the search area at approximately 8:45 a.m. local time on Sunday, January 4. While formal identification is pending, a family member present at the Search and Rescue Operations Post in Marina Labuan Bajo harbor confirmed the discovery, stating simply, “Father is found.”
Authorities have exercised caution pending official verification. Fathur Rahman, Head of the Maumere Search and Rescue Office (Basarnas) and the mission coordinator, declined immediate official comment at the harbor, where he awaited the arrival of the recovery vessel. “Later, later,” he stated, as personnel from the joint SAR team confirmed the recovery.
Upon arrival at the marina, the body was transferred under a solemn escort to the Labuan Bajo Regional General Hospital for formal forensic identification.
The discovery brings a tragic, partial resolution to a search that has captivated international attention since the pinisi boat KM Putri Sakinah sank in the Padar Strait on December 26. The coach’s two young sons, however, remain missing. The search for them, which had been slated to end Sunday, now faces an uncertain future as authorities and the grieving family assess the next steps following this poignant and heartbreaking discovery.
#Heybalinews