Feronia sinking leaves one missing in Komodo National Park

Labuan Bajo — KM Feronia sank near Tatawa Island in Komodo National Park, Manggarai Barat, on Tuesday, 13 October 2026, after carrying 25 passengers and five crew members on a trip from Labuan Bajo towards Rinca Island.

Why it matters: Visitors using Komodo National Park tourism boats faced a sinking that left one passenger missing, while authorities continued investigating the cause and rescue operations continued on 14 October.

Twenty-nine people were evacuated, while one passenger remained missing, according to the Maumere Search and Rescue Office. Liputan6 reported that the vessel left Labuan Bajo Marina at 8 a.m. and sank at about 2:30 p.m. after listing and capsizing in waters with strong currents.

The Labuan Bajo Harbourmaster and Port Authority said the initial account pointed to strong currents during the highest tide and a possible delay by the captain in anticipating the conditions. The authority said the precise cause remained under investigation, according to BBC News Indonesia and Detik.

What happened

• The 51-gross-tonne pinisi sank near Tatawa on 13 October 2026.
• Twenty-nine of the 30 people aboard were evacuated, with one passenger still missing.
• Search and rescue operations were scheduled to continue on 14 October, while investigators examined the cause.

The incident occurred in waters used by tourism vessels serving Komodo National Park. Reports placed the sinking near Tatawa and Batu Bolong, while the vessel’s reported route ran from Labuan Bajo towards Rinca Island.

Sources

• Liputan6.com
• BBC News Indonesia
• Detik
• Tribunnews / Pos-Kupang