Body of soccer coach's child found in NTT boat sinking: Basarnas

Jakarta (ANTARA) - Rescuers recovered a body believed to be the child of Valencia FC B women’s soccer coach from the wreck of the Putri Sakinah motorboat off Padar Island, East Nusa Tenggara (NTT).

“The child was on board and found deceased yesterday,” Basarnas Deputy for Operations and Preparedness Edy Prakoso said Wednesday.

The victim was evacuated Monday afternoon aboard the Basarnas Puntadewa 250 vessel to Labuan Bajo Marina Harbor, he added.

The body was handed over to the West Manggarai Police Disaster Victim Identification team to confirm whether it was the coach’s child, Prakoso said.

“The victim was found 7.48 nautical miles from the initial sinking site,” Maumere SAR Office head and mission coordinator Fathur Rahman said.

The discovery followed information from local fishermen who reported the wreck of the KM Putri Sakinah, prompting a joint SAR search.

On the 12th day of operations, divers and sonar equipment were used to sweep nearby islands, Rahman explained.

One victim remains missing. Three others were recovered earlier, including coach Martin Carreras Fernando and his two other children.

The semi-phinisi tourist boat sank Dec. 26, 2025, off Padar Island, carrying six Spanish tourists, Fernando, his wife, and four children.

Fernando’s wife and another child survived, along with four crew members, including the captain and a tour guide.

Preliminary reports indicate the vessel suffered engine failure while sailing from Kalong Island to Padar Island.

Unable to maneuver, the boat was hit by high waves, capsizing and sinking in the Padar Strait, officials said.

Weather and sea conditions at the time likely worsened the situation, limiting the ability of passengers and crew to rescue themselves, authorities added.