A vessel carrying a family of six, along with four crew members and a local guide, sank on Friday evening due to engine failure during a journey from Komodo Island to Padar, according to Fathur Rahman, the head of the Maumere Search and Rescue Office.
Rahman reported that a nearby boat rescued three individuals, while a search and rescue team saved four others. Among the survivors were a Spanish mother and one of her daughters. Unfortunately, the father, two sons, and another daughter remain unaccounted for.
Renowned for its stunning landscapes, untouched beaches, and the rare Komodo dragon, Komodo National Park is a UNESCO World Heritage site that draws thousands of tourists seeking adventures in diving, trekking, and wildlife exploration.
After the rescue, the survivors were attended to at the port office in Labuan Bajo city. Rahman noted that challenging conditions, including waves reaching 2.5 meters high and the cover of night, impeded rescue efforts overnight.
The search operation comprised various rescue teams equipped with inflatable boats, a navy vessel with diving gear, and a rescue ship. Local fishermen and residents also lent their assistance. The search was concentrated within a 9-kilometer radius of the sinking location, where rescuers discovered remnants of the boat, Rahman added.
Indonesia, an archipelago consisting of over 17,000 islands, relies heavily on boats for transportation. However, frequent accidents are a concern due to lax safety regulations and issues with overcrowding.
