TNI AL Alusista Deployed to Help Find Victims of a Capsized Ship in Labuan Bajo that Killed a Spanish Citizen

A number of TNI AL personnel are helping to search for victims of a sunken boat in the waters of Labuan Bajo, East Nusa Tenggara. ANTARA/HO-TNI AL

JAKARTA - The Indonesian Navy Fleet Command (Koarmada) has also deployed major defense systems (alutsista) to help search for the victims of the KM Putri Sakinah tourist ship carrying 11 passengers in the waters of Padar Island, Labuan Bajo, East Nusa Tenggara (NTT).

The Commander of the Indonesian Fleet Command, Laksdya Denih Hendrata, said that the deployed equipment was a Rigid Buoyancy Boat (RBB), a Rigid Inflatable Boat (RIB), and a fast patrol boat, to support the search to the maximum.

"Koarmada RI continues to synergize with all related institutions in this humanitarian effort," said Denih in a written statement received in Jakarta, Monday, December 29, as quoted by Antara.

According to him, the joint SAR team has departed from Marina Labuan Bajo Pier to the location of the incident. They carried out surface searches and underwater dives to search for the ship's wreckage and victims who have not yet been found.

He also ensured that the search for the victims would be carried out professionally and prioritize the safety of personnel in the field, in the hope that all the victims could be found immediately.

Previously, the Class III Labuan Bajo City Hall and Port Authority (KSOP) stated that the cause of the tourist ship that sank in the waters of Padar Island, Labuan Bajo, on Friday, December 26 evening, was hit by high waves.

The dozen victims consisted of seven foreign nationals, four crew members and one tour guide.

One victim, a Spaniard, was found dead on Monday, December 29, 2025.

The tourist boat had previously made a tourist trip to Kalong Island, Komodo National Park. After enjoying the tourist spot, they then moved to Padar Island to later do trekking on Padar Island on Saturday morning, but unfortunately they experienced a disaster during the trip to Padar Island.