Khaberni - Officials in Indonesia said today, Saturday, that rescuers are searching for a Spanish family of 4 members after a wooden tourist boat sank off the coast of Komodo National Park.
Fatur Rahman, head of the Momere Search and Rescue Office, said the boat, a traditional two-masted sailing ship, was carrying 11 people when it sank late on Friday in a strait off Padar Island, which is part of the national park.
Fatur added that the passengers were 6 Spanish tourists, along with a crew of four people and a local tour guide.
He said that nearby tourist boats and a joint search and rescue team rescued seven people in the early hours of Saturday.
Rahman added, "The missing passengers are a family of four Spanish citizens: a husband, a wife, and two children. The search efforts continue. We hope that today's operation will yield positive results," according to the Associated Press news agency.
Rahman stated that the survivors are receiving treatment at the port office in the city of Labuan Bajo, where 2.5-meter-high waves and darkness hindered rescue efforts at night.
With weather conditions improving on Saturday morning, rescuers intensified the search involving multiple rescue units in rubber boats and a rescue ship with the help of local fishermen and residents.
It is noted that Komodo National Park is listed by UNESCO for its rugged nature, pristine beaches, and the endangered Komodo dragon. The park attracts thousands of visitors for diving, hiking, and wildlife tours.
