Rescuers evacuate nine passengers near Sari’i, West Manggarai

Labuan Bajo — A passenger vessel carrying 10 people lost engine power near Sari’i, West Manggarai, on Thursday, 24 September 2026, according to RRI and detikcom.

The vessel was travelling from Rangko Port to Longos Port when the Maumere Search and Rescue Office received an alert at 13:45 WITA (UTC+8). A joint rescue team deployed at 14:00 WITA and located the vessel at 16:15 WITA.

Nine passengers were evacuated to Marina Port in Labuan Bajo at 17:45 WITA (UTC+8) and were reported safe. The captain stayed aboard to carry out engine repairs, according to the two reports.

Detikcom reported that the passengers were weak after drifting at sea. The report said the vessel had drifted about 7.5 kilometres from the point where the engine failed.

Why the rescue matters to Labuan Bajo readers

The incident involved a passenger vessel serving an inter-island route in the Labuan Bajo area. The rescue operation brought the nine passengers to Marina Port while the captain remained with the vessel, according to RRI and detikcom.

The joint operation involved the Manggarai Barat SAR post, the Manggarai Barat naval base, the East Nusa Tenggara Water Police Directorate, the Manggarai Barat Water Police Unit and the Manggarai Barat Harbourmaster and Port Authority Office, detikcom reported.

The operation ended at 18:00 WITA (UTC+8), and detikcom reported that all passengers were handed over to their respective families. The reports did not state whether the vessel resumed its voyage after repairs.

Sources

• RRI — Indonesian public radio news organisation
• detikcom — established Indonesian national news organisation