Navy warship joins seventh-day search in Komodo National Park

Labuan Bajo — The search for Veronica Beatrix Jessica, who remained missing after KM Feronia sank in Komodo National Park, entered its seventh day on Monday, 19 October 2026. KRI Pulau Fani-731 joined the operation from Marina Labuan Bajo, while the Indonesian Navy deployed seven underwater-search divers.

A report said that Veronica Beatrix Jessica, 23, had not been found after the pinisi Feronia sank in Komodo National Park waters. The vessel sank on Tuesday, 13 October 2026, and its wreck had also not been located in the latest report.

A report said that KRI Pulau Fani-731 was assigned to conduct underwater-contact searches in the northern sector of the incident area. The Indonesian Navy began that search on Saturday, 17 October 2026, at 07.00 WITA (UTC+8).

Why the seventh-day search matters

The operation concerns a missing passenger in a protected national-park area where underwater conditions and the unresolved location of the vessel complicate recovery efforts. The deployment of a naval vessel and specialist divers adds dedicated underwater-search capacity to the joint operation.

Earlier searches used surface sweeps, diving and an underwater drone. A report said that 19 vessels, including KRI Pulau Fani-731, were involved by the fifth day, while only a life jacket believed to belong to Feronia had been found.

A report identified the missing passenger as an Indonesian citizen, Veronica Beatrix Jessica, 23. The reports said she was believed to have been trapped in a toilet when the vessel sank, but the search had not located her or the wreck.

Sources

• detikcom — Indonesian national news report
• kupang.tribunnews.com