LABUAN BAJO, Indonesia – At a press briefing on Tuesday, the coordinator of the search for the victims of the KM Putri Sakinah disaster revealed precise coordinates that have anchored the final phase of the multinational effort, while outlining the difficult decisions that lie ahead.
SAR Mission Coordinator Fathur Rahman of Basarnas provided a critical geographic detail: the wreck and the third victim, believed to be one of the missing sons of Valencia CF coach Martin Carreras Fernando, were found at 08°36’35.139″S 119°40’36.826″ E.
“The coordinates where the wreck of the Putri Sakinah and one child, suspected to be a victim of the sinking, were found are at 08.36.35.139S 119.40.36.826E,” Rahman stated.
This location, he noted, was a significant distance from the initial sinking site in the Padar Strait on December 26.
“The distance from the location of the incident is 7.48 nautical miles,” he added, indicating the powerful currents that govern the Komodo National Park seascape.
Rahman also provided a brief, somber detail about the condition of the recovered victim, a young boy whose body was evacuated to Labuan Bajo General Hospital on Tuesday evening. “There was swelling on the victim himself,” he said, adding that further identifying characteristics could not yet be disclosed. “For other features, we cannot yet convey them, we are still awaiting identification.”
With one child still unaccounted for, the focus now shifts to planning the next—and potentially final—stages of the search. Rahman outlined a methodical, day-by-day approach.
“For tomorrow, we will return to conduct searches around the ship’s body and in other suspected areas,” he announced.
The critical question of whether the extensive 12-day operation will be extended hinges entirely on the results of Wednesday’s efforts.
“Regarding extending the search, we will look at the findings tomorrow first before we can decide,” Rahman concluded, his statement underscoring the careful balance between hope and operational reality.
For the international community following the tragedy from Bali and beyond, the precise coordinates and measured language from the command post translate the vast, impersonal geography of Komodo into a defined area of focus.
The revelation of the 7.48-nautical-mile drift provides a silent testament to the sea’s power, while the coordinator’s cautious planning for the coming day is a reminder that in these waters, search efforts are measured in patience, persistence, and the sober assessment of each new discovery.
