Search Operation Closed, One Valencia Coach Child Still Missing in Labuan Bajo Waters

KUPANG - The National SAR Agency officially closed the search operation for one Spanish foreigner who was a victim of the sinking of the KM Putri Sakinah in the waters of Labuan Bajo, West Manggarai Regency, East Nusa Tenggara on December 26.

"Yes, it is closed as of today," said Head of the Maumere Search and Rescue Office, Fathur Rahman, as the SMC (SAR Mission Coordinator), reported by ANTARA, Friday, January 9.

The SAR operation was closed by the Regent of West Manggarai Edi Stasius Endi at the Marina Port of Labuan Bajo, East Nusa Tenggara.

He said the joint SAR team had been struggling for 15 consecutive days to carry out a SAR search operation for the four victims who drowned and disappeared.

During the 15-day search for the victims, starting from December 26 to Friday (9/1), his party managed to find three victims who drowned in a lifeless state.

The first victim was found on Monday (29/12) morning at 06.05 wita in a dead state was found about 900 meters from the suspected point of the sinking ship. The victim was an Indonesian woman.

The second victim was found on the 10th day of the search, Sunday (4/1) by a joint SAR team. The body of the victim was confirmed to be the coach of the B Women's Football Team in Valencia, Spain, Fernando Martin Carreras.

He was found at 08.47 wita and was 1.13 nautical miles or about two kilometers from the suspected point of the KM. Putri Sakina ship sinking.

On the 12th day of the SAR operation on Tuesday (6/1), one body of a victim due to the sinking of KM. Putri Sakinah was found again by the joint SAR team.

The victim who was found was a man who was later identified as being ten years old and confirmed to be the son of Fernando Martin Carreras.

Meanwhile, the victim who has not been found is Martines Ortuno Enriquejavier.

He added that his party had tried its best to search, by expanding the search area, adding sonar equipment, adding a search team and divers and alut had been deployed to the maximum but until the 15th day the Spanish WNA had not been found and declared missing.

"However, if later there are signs of finding the victim, the SAR operation can be reopened, thank you to the Joint SAR Team who have synergized in this humanitarian goal," he said.