Search for Spanish tourists underway after boat sinks off Indonesia

A tragic incident occurred today as a tourist boat sank off Padar Island on Saturday, December 27.

Concerning the serious incident, a Spanish family of four is missing after a boat carrying eleven people sank off the coast of Indonesia in extreme weather.

According to Reuters, the other passengers, including two tourists from Spain, four crew members, and a tour guide, were all rescued safely during the incident on Friday.

Tragedy struck as the vessel capsized in three-meters waves in the Padar Island Strait near Labuan Bajo, a popular holiday spot.

The Spanish Foreign Ministry has confirmed that a search operation is underway for the missing family.

Padar Island was closed to tourists on Saturday following the accident and reports of extreme weather conditions.

Marine accidents occur regularly in Indonesia- a Southeast Asian archipelago of around 17,000 islands-due to lax safety standards and extreme weather.

Nonetheless, the incident serves as a stark reminder of unpredictable maritime conditions where the safety of tourists remains a crucial concern for local authorities.