Labuan Bajo Ship Sinking Investigation Reveals Unexpected Weather Factors

Incident Overview

The KM Putri Sakinah, a traditional Indonesian-flagged passenger vessel, sank in the waters of Padar Strait, Komodo National Park, Labuan Bajo on December 26, 2025, at approximately 21:00 WITA. The ship was carrying 11 individuals, including crew members, tour guides, and passengers, some of whom were foreign tourists.

Official Findings and Causes

Stephanus Risdiyanto, Head of Labuan Bajo Class III Shipping Office, reported that the vessel was deemed seaworthy before departure and initial weather forecasts from BMKG (Indonesian Meteorology Agency) indicated safe sailing conditions with wave heights below 0.5 meters. However, the investigation revealed that unexpected high swell waves exceeding 2 meters occurred suddenly, catching the vessel off guard and leading to the sinking. On the same day, out of 189 vessels that departed, only this particular ship encountered distress.

Ministry Response

The Directorate General of Sea Transportation expressed deep concern over the incident. Stephanus stated that preliminary reports suggest the accident was caused by anomalous sea wave conditions that were not predictable. The Ministry is continuing to investigate the matter while ensuring safety protocols are reviewed.