Labuan Bajo, East Nusa Tenggara, Indonesia – The Labuan Bajo District Court is currently adjudicating the case concerning the sinking of KM Puteri Sakinah, which has now progressed to the evidentiary stage presented by the Public Prosecutor on Tuesday, 31 March 2026.
The case, registered under number 8/Pid.Sus/2026/PN Lbj, is being heard by a panel of judges chaired by Putu Dima Indra, Deputy Chief of the Labuan Bajo District Court, with I Made Wirangga Kusuma and Intan Hendrawati as associate judges.
According to Ni Luh Putu Geney Sri Kusuma Dewi, spokesperson for the Labuan Bajo District Court, "the panel of judges has authorized the live broadcast of the proceedings via the court’s official YouTube channel. This measure was taken in response to requests from local, national, and international media seeking to cover the trial".
Baca Juga: Trial of KM Puteri Sakinah Ship Sinking Case: Labuan Bajo District Court Examines KSOP & BMKG
During a prior hearing held on 17 March 2026, the Public Prosecutor formally read the indictment. The charges were brought against Defendant I (L), the vessel’s captain, and Defendant II (MA), the chief engineer. Both defendants are charged under alternative provisions: firstly, Article 474 paragraph (3) in conjunction with Article 20(c) of the 2023 Indonesian Criminal Code, or alternatively, Article 199 paragraph (2) of the 1946 Criminal Code in conjunction with Article 20(c) of the 2023 Criminal Code.
Based on the indictment, the incident originated on 18 November 2025 when the victim, Fernando Martin Carreras, a coach affiliated with Valencia CF, booked a vessel via an online platform for a three-day, two-night voyage in the waters of Labuan Bajo. Due to the unavailability of the initially booked vessel, Liberty, the trip was subsequently carried out using KM Puteri Sakinah.
The Prosecutor further asserted that at approximately 19:45 WITA, Defendant I instructed Defendant II to assume control of the vessel. Defendant I then relinquished command, allowing Defendant II—who allegedly lacked the requisite certification and competence—to navigate the vessel toward Padar Island.
The indictment also alleges that Defendant I failed to provide mandatory safety briefings, did not instruct passengers to evacuate their cabins, neglected to advise the use of safety equipment, and did not explain the available safety measures to foreign passengers either prior to departure or during the voyage.
At approximately 20:15 WITA, the vessel was struck by waves measuring between three and four meters in height, causing it to list to the port side. Subsequent waves allowed seawater to enter the vessel’s corridor and engine room, resulting in engine failure. Following a third wave impact, the vessel ultimately sank in its entirety.
The prosecution further stated that crew members aboard lifeboats attempted to locate four missing foreign nationals but were unsuccessful. Assistance later arrived from nearby vessels originating from Padar Island, which facilitated the evacuation of two female passengers, Mar Martinez Ortuno and Andrea Ortuno Ripoll, the latter being the victim’s spouse.
Andrea Ortuno Ripoll was examined as a witness virtually via Zoom on 31 March 2026, as she is currently residing in Spain. She was accompanied by an official interpreter provided by the Spanish Embassy.
In her testimony, Ms. Ripoll stated that no safety briefing had been provided prior to the incident and that she did not observe the presence of life jackets aboard KM Puteri Sakinah. She further testified that she had only worn a life jacket briefly while being transferred by a smaller boat to the main vessel.
Ms. Ripoll also testified that no crew members attempted to alert or rescue her during the emergency. She was able to escape independently by forcing open the cabin door from the upper deck. In contrast, her husband and three children, who were located in a lower cabin, were unable to be rescued.
She further recounted that after boarding a lifeboat, she repeatedly called for assistance to rescue her husband and children. However, according to her statement, crew members declined to return and instead responded with “No, no.” Rescue efforts were eventually carried out by another vessel that arrived at the scene.
The examination of Ms. Ripoll concluded at 13:30 WITA. The presiding judge subsequently adjourned the session to continue with the examination of six additional witnesses presented by the Public Prosecutor. These include the Head of the Labuan Bajo Port Authority (KSOP), who will testify regarding the vessel’s seaworthiness and sailing permit; representatives from the Meteorology, Climatology, and Geophysics Agency (BMKG), who will provide expert testimony on weather and sea conditions at the time of the incident; as well as the vessel’s cook, crew members, tour guide, and owner, who are expected to provide factual information. (zm/wi)
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