LABUAN BAJO / JAKARTA – On the eve of the legal deadline for the search operation, the Spanish Ambassador to Indonesia has formally requested authorities extend the hunt for three missing nationals—a Valencia CF football coach and his two young sons—victims of the Putri Sakinah schooner disaster in Komodo National Park.
In a letter dated December 31, 2025, addressed to the National Search and Rescue Agency (Basarnas), Ambassador Bernardo de Sicart Escoda acknowledged the “well-executed” efforts by Indonesian authorities over the past week. He expressed gratitude for the work done to rescue survivors and search for the missing since the vessel sank on December 26.
“Therefore, after these days [of searching], I would like to request that you continue the search efforts until the remains are found,” the Ambassador wrote, according to the letter’s contents.
He emphasized the profound human dimension of the appeal, stating that a continued search “would be of great help to the surviving family members who have placed their hopes in recovering the remains after the horrific shock suffered by them all.” Ambassador de Sicart Escoda concluded by expressing his confidence that Basarnas would honor the request, noting the family’s shared belief that the operation could proceed.
The diplomatic appeal arrives at a critical juncture. Indonesian regulations mandate that primary search and rescue (SAR) operations conclude after seven days—a deadline that falls on New Year’s Day, January 1, 2026. Authorities have previously indicated that a formal evaluation would determine if the mission qualifies for a standard extension of up to three additional days, contingent on factors like the probability of discovery or new leads.
Fathur Rahman, the SAR Mission Coordinator from Basarnas Maumere, reiterated this protocol on Wednesday. “We are conducting the search in accordance with the Search and Rescue Act; we carry it out for seven days,” he stated, confirming the impending evaluation.
The missing individuals are Valencia CF women’s B-team coach Martin Carreras Fernando and his two sons. The body of the coach’s 12-year-old daughter was recovered earlier in the week. The Ambassador’s letter adds significant diplomatic weight to the family’s anguish, transforming a procedural decision into a matter of international concern and humanitarian appeal.
For Bali’s large community of global residents and frequent visitors to Komodo, the situation underscores the complex interplay between rigid bureaucratic protocols and the deeply human, often protracted, nature of maritime tragedies. The coming days will test the system’s flexibility, revealing whether the drive for closure can extend the reach of the official search window.