The National Search and Rescue Agency (Basarnas) has extended the search operation for the Spanish coach of Valencia CF’s women’s football team, Fernando Martin Carreras, and his two sons, who remain missing after a tourist boat sank in Komodo National Park, Labuan Bajo, West Manggarai, East Nusa Tenggara.
The extension follows an evaluation conducted by the joint Search and Rescue (SAR) team on Thursday evening at the SAR Operations Post at Labuan Bajo Marina Harbour.
“Based on the evaluation results, the joint SAR team will continue and maximise search efforts for the next three days,” said Fathur Rahman, Head of the Maumere Search and Rescue Office and SAR Mission Coordinator, as reported by detikBali on Friday, 2 January 2026.
The extended operation will run from 2 to 4 January 2026. Basarnas said the decision was made collectively by all agencies involved in the joint SAR mission.
The search extension also took into account formal requests from several parties. One request was submitted by the Spanish Ambassador through a written letter to Basarnas dated 31 December 2025. A similar request was also made by the Labuan Bajo Class III Harbormaster and Port Authority Office (KSOP).
The three victims were passengers on the phinisi boat KM Putri Sakinah, which reportedly sank in waters near Padar Island within Komodo National Park. Authorities have not released further details regarding the cause of the sinking.
Family Reports Cell Phone Signal Detected Near Padar Island
During the ongoing search, the family of Fernando Martin Carreras reported detecting a mobile phone signal believed to belong to the missing coach.
The signal was identified in waters near Padar Island.
Budi Widjaja, a family member representing the victims’ relatives, said the signal was first detected in the early hours of 27 December and was again detected the following day.
“On 27 December at 1 a.m., a signal was detected on the victim’s cellphone, and then on the afternoon of the 28th, the same signal was detected,” Budi said on Thursday, 1 January 2026.
He said the family coordinated with the Ministry of Communication and Digital Affairs (Komdigi) and the Ministry of Foreign Affairs following the discovery.
“Therefore, together with Komdigi and the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, we requested assistance from Interpol because the registered number was an international number from Spain,” he said.
According to Budi, Komdigi confirmed that the coordinates of the signal were detected south of the Padar Island Strait and later north of Batu Tiga Island, still within the Komodo National Park waters.
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Advanced Equipment Deployed in Ongoing Search Efforts
The joint SAR team has adjusted its search focus based on the reported signal coordinates. Search operations on the seventh day concentrated on waters surrounding the Padar Island Strait.
Budi said the family believed the mobile phone may still be located on the vessel.
“The cellphone is suspected to still be on the boat, which continues to move due to ocean currents,” he said.
He added that the family had requested Interpol’s assistance to help determine more precise signal coordinates.
“If any signs or suspicious objects are found, we will verify them by diving,” Budi said.
Basarnas confirmed that advanced equipment has been deployed to support the operation. Several sonar systems are being used, including multibeam sonar capable of detecting underwater objects across a wide radius.
The joint SAR team continues to involve personnel from multiple agencies as well as local authorities. Search efforts are being conducted both on the surface and underwater.
As of the seventh day of the operation, Fernando Martin Carreras and his two sons have not been found. Authorities said the search remains focused on areas identified through technical tracking and evaluation results.
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