Labuan Bajo, E. Nusa Tenggara. Indonesian authorities on Friday formally ended a 15-day search for a Spanish child who remains missing after the tourist boat KM Putri Sakinah sank in waters off Padar Island, Labuan Bajo, in East Nusa Tenggara province.

The decision was announced at a closing ceremony for the joint search-and-rescue (SAR) operation held at Marina Port Labuan Bajo at around 3 p.m. local time on Friday. West Manggarai Regent Edi Stasius Endi led the ceremony, thanking SAR personnel from multiple agencies for their efforts and expressing condolences to the victims’ families.

The missing victim is a young boy, the son of Fernando Martin Carreras, a Spanish national and women’s football coach at Valencia CF. Despite nearly two weeks of intensive searches involving expanded patrol zones, sonar equipment, divers and multiple vessels, the child was not found.

The tragedy began on Dec. 26, 2025, when the motor sailing vessel Putri Sakinah capsized and sank in rough waters near Padar Island, a popular destination within Komodo National Park. The boat was carrying 11 people: six Spanish tourists, one tour guide and four Indonesian crew members.

Seven people were rescued alive shortly after the incident. Four Spanish nationals — all members of the same family — were reported missing.

On Dec. 29, 2025, the body of one child, identified as a daughter of Fernando Martin Carreras, was found. Days later, on Jan. 4, 2026, SAR teams recovered a male body at sea. Police later confirmed through forensic identification that the body was Fernando Martin Carreras, 44.

The search continued for the remaining two children. On Jan. 6, 2026, another body — a 10-year-old boy — was discovered on the coast of Pede Beach on Komodo Island. That finding left one child still unaccounted for.

“The search was extremely challenging due to strong waves and currents around the islands of Labuan Bajo,” Regent Endi said. “However, this did not deter the joint SAR teams, who managed to recover three of the four Spanish victims. We deeply appreciate their dedication.”

Fathur Rahman, head of the Maumere Search and Rescue Office and coordinator of the operation, said teams worked continuously for 15 days, deploying additional sonar systems, reinforcing search units and maximizing the use of air and sea assets.

Although the operation has been officially closed, Fathur said authorities remain prepared to reopen the search if new information or signs of the missing child emerge.

The four Spanish victims were identified as Fernando Martin Carreras and his three children: Martin Garcia Mateo, Martines Ortuno Maria Lia and Martinez Ortuno Enriquejavier. Carreras’ wife, Ortuno Andrea, survived the accident.

Separately, police have named two suspects in connection with the sinking. East Nusa Tenggara Police spokesman Henry Novika Chandra said the suspects are the boat’s captain, identified by the initial L, and a crew member responsible for the engine, identified as M. Investigators allege negligence related to vessel operation and safety procedures.

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