Search Intensifies for Speedboat Carrying 11 European Tourists Off Sulawesi Coast
Indonesian search and rescue teams are scouring Tomini Bay for a missing vessel carrying thirteen people. The boat failed to reach its destination on Friday, sparking a massive maritime search operation.
Maritime Search Operations Begin in Tomini Bay
Indonesian emergency services launched a massive recovery operation in the waters of Sulawesi following the disappearance of a speedboat carrying eleven European travelers and two Indonesian crew members. The vessel initiated its journey from Tanjung Unauna regency on Friday, July 24, 2026. Official flight plans indicated the boat was destined for Marisa Port in Gorontalo province, but the group failed to arrive at the scheduled time.
The Passenger Manifest
Authorities have confirmed the identities and nationalities of those aboard the missing craft. The passenger list includes:
- Five nationals from the Netherlands
- Three citizens of Germany
- One man from Belgium
- One man from the Czech Republic
- One woman from France
- Two Indonesian crew members
Heriyanto, Head of the Gorontalo Province Search and Rescue Office, stated that a local tour guide flagged the vessel's disappearance at 3:40 p.m. on Friday. While the meteorological agency predicted clear skies, teams on the water reported waves as high as 2.5 meters and aggressive winds during the initial response.
Deployment of Advanced Recovery Technology
The search perimeter now spans approximately 300 square nautical miles. Experts calculated this area based on the projected route between the departure point and the intended port. To locate the thirteen missing individuals, dozens of rescue personnel have deployed specialized hardware, including thermal-imaging drones and diving gear. Despite an overnight mission that began immediately after the report, Heriyanto confirmed that no debris or signs of the boat have been identified as of Saturday, July 25, 2026.
Source: The Hindu — Home
