LABUAN BAJO, Indonesia — Search and rescue teams continued operations on Saturday after a traditional wooden tour boat sank in rough seas near Padar Island, within Indonesia’s Komodo National Park, leaving four Spanish tourists missing.
The vessel, a pinisi named Putri Sakinah, went down late Friday night, December 26, in the waters of the Padar Strait, according to Indonesian maritime authorities. Eleven people were on board at the time of the incident: six tourists from Spain, four crew members, and one local tour guide.
Read Update: A Family Missing: Chronology of the Sinking That Claimed Four Spanish Tourists in Komodo
Seven people were rescued in the early hours following the sinking. Three passengers were picked up by a nearby tourist boat, Nepton, while four others were evacuated by joint search and rescue teams.
“Four foreign nationals from Spain remain unaccounted for,” said Fathur Rahman, head of the Maumere Search and Rescue Office and the mission’s on-site coordinator, speaking on Saturday morning.
Search efforts resumed at first light, with teams deploying from multiple agencies, including the West Manggarai SAR unit, the Labuan Bajo Harbor Master’s fast-response sea riders, and a rigid inflatable boat operated by the Indonesian Navy’s Labuan Bajo base. Divers and specialized equipment were also brought to the scene to support underwater and surface searches.
“Our teams have returned to the location to continue searching for the missing passengers,” Mr. Rahman said. “We are all hoping today’s operation will bring results.”
Maritime officials said the boat encountered dangerous sea conditions shortly before sinking. Stephanus Risdiyanto, head of the Class III Labuan Bajo Harbor Master and Port Authority, stated that the incident occurred at approximately 9:00 p.m. local time, with wave heights exceeding two meters.
Authorities have not yet released a detailed account of the sequence of events that led to the sinking. The identities of the four missing passengers have also not been publicly disclosed, pending official verification.
The incident has once again drawn attention to the risks associated with maritime travel in eastern Indonesia, particularly during periods of unstable weather. Komodo National Park, a UNESCO World Heritage site, is accessible almost exclusively by sea, and thousands of visitors rely on small and mid-sized tour vessels to navigate its islands.
While pinisi boats remain a widely used and culturally significant form of transport, maritime officials continue to emphasize the importance of weather monitoring, operational caution, and adherence to safety protocols, especially during the year-end transition season.
As search efforts continue, authorities are urging tour operators and travelers to prioritize safety above schedules, and to respect official advisories when sea conditions deteriorate.
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