KBRN, Jakarta: The Indonesian
Ministry of Tourism has committed to providing intensive assistance and
coordination following the tourist boat incident in Labuan Bajo. In a press
release issued on Sunday (12/28/2025), the Ministry stated that it continues to
take active and coordinated steps in response to the tourist boat accident in
the waters of Labuan Bajo, East Nusa Tenggara.

The Ministry of Tourism stated that since receiving the initial report,
it has moved swiftly and coordinated intensively with the Ministry of
Transportation, the National Search and Rescue Agency (SAR), the Ministry of
Foreign Affairs, the Labuan Bajo-Flores Authority Agency, port and shipping
authorities, as well as local governments to support search and post-incident
handling efforts.

Institutionally, the Ministry of Tourism has also coordinated with the
Embassy of Spain in Jakarta to convey deep sympathy and condolences, while
offering support and assistance needed in the post-incident response.

“Based on official communication between the Ministry of Tourism and the
Embassy of Spain, the Spanish Government expressed its appreciation and
gratitude for the swift and professional efforts of the Indonesian rescue
teams. The joint focus at this time is to optimize the search for the four
victims who are still officially declared missing,”  Minister of Tourism Widiyanti Putri Wardhana
stated in the press release.

In addition, the Minister of Tourism has assigned the Minister’s Senior
Advisor for tourism Crisis Management, the Head of the Labuan Bajo-Flores
Authority Agency, and the Director of the Bali Tourism Polytechnic to provide
assistance to the victims’ families, based on the families’ consent and
coordination with the Embassy of Spain.

Meanwhile, the SAR team will continue search operations for seven days,
with periodic evaluations based on weather conditions and the safety of
personnel in the field.

“In accordance with Standard Operating Procedures (SOP), the SAR team
will continue search operations for seven days, with regular evaluations based
on weather conditions and the safety of the team in the field,” the Ministry of
Tourism stated.

From December 26, 2025 to January 1, 2026, port authorities under the
Ministry of Transportation have imposed a temporary ban on tourist boat
operations in the waters of Labuan Bajo and the Komodo Islands as a preventive
measure. The Ministry of Tourism affirmed its commitment to prioritizing
tourist safety, strengthening cross-sector coordination, and ensuring that the
handling of this incident is carried out in a transparent, humane, and
responsible manner.

Previously, on Friday (12/26/2025),  the Phinisi vessel Putri
Sakina sank in the waters of the Padar Strait. The sinking was allegedly caused
by waves reaching 2 meters in height, which resulted in engine damage.

As of Sunday, four victims, Fernando Martin Careras, the women’s
football coach of Valencia CF, along with his three children, were reported
missing, while seven other passengers and crew members were successfully
rescued.