SAR Finds 12-Year-Old Spanish Foreigner Missing in Labuan Bajo

JAKARTA - A joint SAR team found a foreign citizen (WNA) from Spain reported missing due to a boat accident in the waters of Padar Island, Labuan Bajo, West Manggarai Regency, East Nusa Tenggara (NTT) on Friday, December 26.

Head of the Operations Sub-Section of the Search and Rescue Office B Maumere Asfan Dulhasan said the victim was found dead on Monday, December 29 morning.

"On the fourth day of the search at 06.05 WITA we received information from the community that the victim was found in the Serai Island area which is still within the Komodo National Park (TNK)," he said in Labuan Bajo, Monday, quoted by Antara.

The victim's body was found by residents and reported the discovery of the body to the joint SAR team.

He added that the victim's body was a female aged 12 years.

"The identity of the victim is temporarily suspected to be a small child, approximately 12 years old," he said.

After being evacuated from the discovery location, the victim's body was then evacuated to Labuan Bajo.

"Currently, the body is at the Komodo Hospital and the search will continue for the next seven days," he said.

Separately, Head of the Search and Rescue Office B Maumere Fathur Rahman stated that the joint SAR team continued to search for the victims of the sinking ship.

"Today, the SAR operation has been strengthened with the arrival of the KN SAR Puntadewa 250 on Sunday (28 December) at 20.30 Wita," he said.