MindFuel
Tangerang, January 4, 17:00, 2026
On Friday evening (December 26, 2025), the KM Putri Sakinah untied its ropes off Komodo Island, West Manggarai Regency, East Nusa Tenggara. The sea appeared calm as the wooden ship slowly sailed toward Padar Island, its next tourist destination.
The ship was chartered by the family of Martin Carreras Fernando (44), a tourist from Spain. He was accompanied by his wife, Ortuno Andrea, and their four children: Martin Garcia Mateo, Martines Ortuno Maria Lia, Martines Ortuno Enriquejavier, and Mar Martinez Ortuno. In addition to Fernando's family of six, the ship included a tour guide and four crew members.
However, after about 30 minutes of sailing, the KM Putri Sakinah's engine suddenly died. The ship lost control, was tossed by the waves, and then sank. The passengers struggled to save themselves and their families.
In the tragedy, seven people survived and four were missing. The missing victims are Fernando and his three children: Martin Garcia Mateo, Martines Ortuno Maria Lia, and Martines Ortuno Enriquejavier. Fernando's wife, Ortuno Andrea, and one of his children, Mar Martinez Ortuno, survived, along with the ship's crew and a tour guide.
As of today, KBRN, West Manggarai: A joint SAR team found the body of a man suspected to be the coach of Valencia CF's women's soccer team B, Fernando Martin Carreras, on Sunday (January 4, 2026) at around 8:45 a.m. WITA (Central Indonesian Time). The body was found floating on the surface of the sea on the same day, which was also the final day of the search operation.
The victim's family, who were at the Labuan Bajo Marina Port SAR Operations Post, confirmed that the body found was Fernando's. This confirmation was conveyed directly by one of the victim's family members.
"Father is found," said a family representative with a trembling voice at the SAR Operations Post.
"Yes, that's right. The body is that of the Valencia CF women's soccer team B coach, Fernando Martin Carreras, a Spanish citizen," said the Head of Public Relations of the NTT Regional Police, Senior Commissioner Henry Novika Chandra.
The body was found in the waters between Seraya Island and Rinca Island, in the Komodo National Park area, Labuan Bajo. The victim was then evacuated to Komodo Regional Hospital for a medical examination and further identification.
The identity of the body was also confirmed by the East Nusa Tenggara (NTT) Regional Police.
"Yes, that's right. The body is that of the Valencia CF women's soccer team B coach, Fernando Martin Carreras, a Spanish citizen," said the Head of Public Relations of the NTT Regional Police, Senior Commissioner Henry Novika Chandra.
The body was first discovered by the KPC 2007 vessel of the NTT Regional Police's Water Police Directorate, face down on the surface of the sea.
Meanwhile, the search for Fernando's two sons is still ongoing. Fernando and his family were among the victims of the sinking of the Putri Sakinah pinisi ship in the Padar Strait, Komodo National Park, on Friday (December 26, 2025).
NTT Regional Police Chief Inspector General Rudi Darmoko emphasized that all search and rescue (SAR) elements remain fully mobilized to continue the search for other victims.
"We urge the public and fishermen operating around the Padar Strait and surrounding waters to immediately report to officers if they find any signs related to the victims," he said.
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