Labuan Bajo, Indonesia — The intensive search for a missing Spanish football coach and his two sons entered a fifth day on Tuesday with rescue teams reporting the discovery of new debris from the sunken ferry KM Putri Sakinah. The find, identified as a section of the vessel’s hull, marks a significant development but has not yet led to the recovery of the three missing individuals.
The head of the Maumere search and rescue office, Fathur Rahman, confirmed the discovery was made at 8:12 AM local time by a police water unit in the waters around Padar Island. “The focus is now on the search for three foreign nationals from Spain, with search efforts concentrated on islands near Padar and on diving operations,” Fathur stated.
Expanded Underwater and Surface Search
In response to the challenging conditions, the joint SAR operation has significantly scaled up its underwater capabilities. Professional diver numbers have been increased and organised into three dedicated Search and Rescue Units (SRUs), deployed across a wider area:
- SRU 1: Waters north of Serai Island
- SRU 2: Waters east of Padar Island
- SRU 3: Waters south of Serai Island
A total of eleven divers from multiple local dive centres and rescue services are involved in the submerged grid search. Surface efforts have also been bolstered, with twelve vessels scouring nearby islands and coastlines.
Deployment of Advanced Technology
Authorities are now deploying more sophisticated technology to locate the main wreckage. This includes seabobs (underwater scooters), a sonar system from the regional water police to scan the seabed, and thermal drones to aid in surface and coastal surveillance.
“Until now, the joint SAR team is still struggling to carry out the SAR operation,” Fathur said, acknowledging the ongoing difficulties posed by strong currents and deep water.
Context of the Tragedy
The search is for Valencia CF women’s B-team coach Fernando Martín Carreras and his two sons. They were aboard the Pinisi Putri Sakinah when it sank on Friday night after reportedly suffering engine failure. The coach’s wife and youngest daughter survived, while the body of another daughter was recovered on Monday. The expanded, technology-driven search underscores the transition from a rescue mission to a complex recovery operation, as the international community and a grieving family await answers from the depths of Komodo National Park.