Indonesian Rescuers Search for Missing Speedboat with 11 European Tourists and 2 Local Crew Members

An intensive search is underway off the coast of Sulawesi island in Indonesia for a missing speedboat carrying 11 European tourists and two local crew members. The vessel departed from Tanjung Unauna regency on Friday morning, bound for Marisa Port in the neighboring Gorontalo province, but never reached its destination.

Officials reported that the speedboat was expected to arrive on Friday afternoon. Concerns were raised when it failed to appear, prompting the Gorontalo Province Search and Rescue Office to launch an immediate search operation. "Concerns arose when their speedboat had not arrived by afternoon," said Heriyanto, Head of the Gorontalo Province Search and Rescue Office. "We immediately launched a search mission overnight but until now have not found any signs" of the boat or its occupants.

The missing passengers include a Czech national, a Belgian, five Dutch citizens, three Germans, and one French woman, in addition to the two Indonesian crew members. Search and rescue teams are scouring approximately 300 square nautical miles of waters around Tomini Bay, utilizing a thermal-imaging drone and diving equipment. However, rescuers are facing difficult conditions, including strong winds and waves up to 2.5 meters (8 feet) high, which are complicating the search efforts.

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Concerns arose when their speedboat had not arrived by afternoon. We immediately launched a search mission overnight but until now have not found any signs.