KRI Pulau Fani-731 joins KM Feronia search near Labuan Bajo

Labuan Bajo — TNI Angkatan Laut deployed KRI Pulau Fani-731 on the seventh search day for the missing KM Feronia victim in Komodo National Park on Monday, 19 October 2026. The deployment included seven specialist divers from the Satuan Komando Penyelam dan Penyelamatan Bawah Air (Sakopeba) Koarmada II.

The warship joined the search from Marina Labuan Bajo towards Komodo National Park. Lieutenant Colonel Aan Harminanto, commander of the Labuan Bajo Naval Base, said the divers were assigned to strengthen the underwater operation.

Radio Republik Indonesia reported that KRI Pulau Fani-731 operates under the Second Fleet Mine Warfare Squadron in Surabaya. It said the vessel was supporting the search in the waters of Pulau Tatawa, within Komodo National Park, in West Manggarai, East Nusa Tenggara.

Why it matters to Komodo readers

The deployment expands the military resources supporting the search in waters used by vessels operating around Labuan Bajo and Komodo National Park. The harbourmaster and port authority temporarily restricted sailing at five points in the park on 19 October 2026, from 07.00 to 17.00 WITA, to support the joint search-and-rescue operation.

The sixth search day involved 266 personnel divided into nine search units. Search teams used surface sweeps, side-scan sonar, the SKYRO remotely operated vehicle and multibeam sonar. The search had not produced a result by 18.00 WITA on Sunday, 18 October 2026.

Radio Republik Indonesia reported that KM Feronia sank on Tuesday, 13 October 2026, at about 14.30 WITA. It said 29 people were evacuated and that one victim remained missing. The 19 October reports said the search continued after the warship and specialist divers joined the operation.

Sources

• Radio Republik Indonesia — public radio news organisation
• CNN Indonesia — national news report
• kupang.tribunnews.com
• detik.com
• gurindam.id
• okebajo.com