A joint Search and Rescue (SAR) team has found a body in the waters of Komodo National Park, Labuan Bajo, West Manggarai, East Nusa Tenggara (NTT). Authorities have confirmed that the body belongs to Fernando Martin Carreras, a coach with Valencia CF’s women’s B team.
The confirmation was delivered by the NTT Regional Police on Sunday, January 4, 2026. The body was identified as an adult male and a Spanish national.
“Yes, that’s right. The body is that of Valencia CF women’s soccer team B coach, Fernando Martin Carreras. The victim is an adult male and a Spanish citizen,” said NTT Regional Police Public Relations Chief, Senior Commissioner Henry Novika Chandra, as quoted by detikBali.
Fernando’s body was discovered at 8:47 a.m. Central Indonesian Time (WITA) in waters between Seraya Island and Rinca Island, within Komodo National Park. The body was later evacuated to Komodo Regional Hospital for examination and formal identification.
Identification Conducted Under Interpol DVI Protocol
Police confirmed that the identification process followed Interpol’s Disaster Victim Identification (DVI) protocol. The results matched the data provided by the victim’s family.
“The Head of the Medical and Health Division stated that the victim’s identification, based on matching the AM and PM data, both primary and secondary, is in accordance with Interpol’s DVI protocol,” Henry said.
On the tenth day of the search operation, Fernando was found by officers from the Water and Air Police Directorate (Ditpolairud) of the NTT Regional Police. According to police, he was found floating face down on the water’s surface.
Fernando was shirtless when discovered. Ditpolairud officers immediately contacted the National Search and Rescue Agency (Basarnas) to assist with evacuation. The body was then placed in a body bag and transferred for further handling.
The maritime incident occurred last week in the waters of the Padar Island Strait, Labuan Bajo. The vessel involved, KM Putri Sakinah, was carrying 11 people at the time of the accident. They included six foreign tourists from Spain, one tour guide, and four crew members.
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Search Extended for Two Missing Children
Following the discovery of Fernando’s body, authorities have extended the search operation for two remaining victims. They are Fernando’s two sons, who remain missing.
NTT Regional Police Chief Inspector General Rudi Darmoko announced that the search period has been extended for another three days, until Wednesday, January 7, 2026.
“The second extension is until January 7, 2026. The first search extension was from January 2 to January 4, 2026,” Rudi told detikBali on Sunday.
Basarnas has expanded the search area by approximately five nautical miles from the previous zone. The decision was made after the second victim was found on Sunday.
“Today we are continuing the search process and expanding the search area in the hope of finding two more victims,” said Fathur Rahman, Head of the Maumere Search and Rescue Office and SAR Mission Coordinator, when contacted from Kupang on Monday.
The extended search resumed at 6:30 a.m. WITA on Monday. A total of 153 joint personnel are involved in the operation. They include officers from Basarnas, the Indonesian National Armed Forces (TNI), the Indonesian National Police (Polri), the Labuan Bajo Port Authority (KSOP), Komodo National Park officials, community rescue groups, and the West Manggarai Regional Disaster Management Agency (BPBD).
The operation also involves members of the diving community. Seventeen units of search equipment have been deployed across islands surrounding Labuan Bajo.
