A Spanish man and three of his children remain missing after a tourist boat sank in rough seas near Padar Island in Indonesia, rescuers confirmed on Saturday, December 27. The vessel, carrying 11 people, went down on Friday night in the Padar Island Strait, close to the popular tourist hub of Labuan Bajo in East Nusa Tenggara province, according to Indonesia’s state news agency, Antara.
Authorities reported that the man’s wife and one of their daughters were among seven passengers rescued, along with four crew members and a tour guide. The remaining four passengers – the father, two boys, and a girl – are still unaccounted for.
Fathur Rahman, coordinator of the ongoing search mission, said debris and parts of the vessel’s hull had been found near the site where the boat went down. “We are continuing the search despite the challenging conditions,” he said.
Search efforts have been hampered by difficult weather and sea conditions, including strong currents and waves reaching up to 1.5 meters, Rahman added. Authorities also temporarily closed Padar Island to visitors due to the extreme weather.
The Labuan Bajo port authority cited high waves of up to three meters as the primary cause of the sinking. “This made it difficult for us to carry out the initial search,” Stephanus Risdiyanto, head of the port authority, told Antara.
Video footage released by Indonesia’s National Search and Rescue Agency showed emergency personnel in blue uniforms assisting passengers, some barefoot, from an inflatable orange boat onto the shore. Other clips depicted people in lifejackets seated on a rescue boat, while another vessel moved rapidly across the waves under dark skies.
Maritime accidents are not uncommon in Indonesia, an archipelago of roughly 17,000 islands, where rough seas and inconsistent safety standards contribute to frequent incidents. Tourist boats, particularly in popular destinations such as Labuan Bajo, are at risk when sudden weather changes occur, officials have warned.
Labuan Bajo, located on the western tip of Flores Island, is a gateway to Komodo National Park, famous for its Komodo dragons and scenic islands. The area sees thousands of tourists each year who visit the park’s islands by boat. While generally a popular and safe tourist destination, authorities have increasingly stressed the importance of strict adherence to maritime safety regulations, particularly during the rainy season when unpredictable weather and high waves are common.
Rescue teams are coordinating efforts between local authorities and the National Search and Rescue Agency. The operation includes multiple boats and divers, who are searching both near the shoreline and in deeper waters where the vessel may have drifted. Helicopters are also on standby, but rough winds and low visibility have limited aerial searches.
Families of the missing have been informed and are being supported by Indonesian officials. Efforts to trace the remaining passengers are ongoing, with the hope that favorable conditions will allow rescuers to reach areas currently inaccessible due to rough seas.
The incident has reignited concerns over tourist safety in Indonesia’s maritime regions. Authorities have urged operators to strictly follow passenger limits, ensure lifejackets are provided for all, and avoid sailing during extreme weather warnings.
As search operations continue, the focus remains on locating the missing Spanish father and his three children. The Indonesian government has pledged full support to both the rescue teams and the family, emphasizing that every possible resource is being deployed to bring the remaining passengers to safety.
