KUPANG, Indonesia — Police in East Nusa Tenggara (NTT) have announced they will soon name suspects in the sinking of the KM Putri Sakinah, the tourist vessel whose tragic demise in Komodo National Park led to the disappearance of Spanish football coach Fernando Martin Carreras and his two sons.
“The designation of suspects will be carried out as soon as possible. However, this will only be done after all evidentiary requirements are sufficiently met in accordance with legal provisions,” stated Kombes Henry Novika Chandra, Head of Public Relations for NTT Police, in an interview with detikBali on Friday.
Chandra emphasized that the high-profile case is being handled with transparency, professionalism, and objectivity. As part of the formal investigation, police will seize the vessel’s operational documents and prepare a case dossier (bahan gelar perkara), a critical step before potential charges can be filed.
The move toward criminal charges marks a significant escalation in the legal response to the December 26 disaster. Authorities stress that the goal is twofold: to provide legal certainty and justice for the victims’ family, and to serve as a deterrent to prevent similar maritime tragedies in one of Indonesia’s premier tourism regions.
“Maritime safety is paramount,” Chandra explained. “We hope this legal process serves as a collective lesson for all marine tourism operators to always prioritize safety above all else.”
The police have pledged to keep the public informed of developments in accordance with legal procedures. “We will provide further updates. We ask for the prayers and support of all parties,” Chandra concluded.
The announcement comes as the search for the missing coach and his sons entered its eighth day, with rescue teams utilizing advanced sonar and thermal drone technology in the waters around Padar Island. The investigation into the cause of the sinking, which has already involved questioning 17 witnesses, is now shifting from fact-finding to potential accountability, signaling a determined effort to address safety concerns in Labuan Bajo’s bustling maritime tourism sector.
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