Labuan Bajo, Indonesia — In a show of diplomatic and humanitarian support, the Deputy Head of Mission for Spain in Indonesia visited Labuan Bajo on Monday to meet with the family of the missing Valencia CF coach and offer direct backing to the ongoing search operation.
The official, Fernando, arrived at the search command post at Marina Labuan Bajo, stating his purpose was clear: “To come to Labuan Bajo to provide support to the family and also support to the SAR team.”
The visit comes as the search for Fernando Martín Carreras and his two sons enters a critical phase. The coach’s wife and youngest daughter survived the sinking of the Pinisi Putri Sakinah last Friday, while the body of one of their daughters was recovered on Monday morning.
Appreciation for Joint Search Effort
During his visit, the Spanish diplomat expressed high appreciation for the concerted efforts of the Indonesian multi-agency search and rescue (SAR) team, which includes maritime police, the national rescue agency Basarnas, and the navy.
“I highly appreciate the cohesiveness of the various institutions involving all stakeholders, all maritime personnel, working together to face this situation to conduct the search,” Fernando stated. He added that his presence was also meant “[to] support friends so they do not lose spirit, to continue trying to find the missing family members.”
He confirmed that, as of Monday evening, there were no specific directives from the Spanish government regarding the incident beyond the consular and supportive role on the ground.
The Incident and Ongoing Operations
The tourist vessel sank in the Padar Strait of Komodo National Park after reportedly being struck by waves, leading to engine failure. Of the eleven people on board, seven were successfully evacuated, including the captain, crew, tour guide, and the coach’s wife and youngest daughter.
The Spanish family’s tragedy has drawn significant international attention and placed a spotlight on maritime safety protocols in the region, especially during periods of adverse weather. The deployment of underwater drones and sonar technology in recent days marks an intensification of the search, which continues to face challenges from strong currents.
For the international community in Indonesia, the presence of a senior Spanish diplomat underscores the cross-border impact of the disaster. It highlights the formal channels of consular assistance and international cooperation that activate in times of crisis, working in parallel with the raw, human-led search for answers in the waters of Komodo.