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Indonesia Nears Search Cutoff for Missing Valencian Child as Police Probe Boat Crew

Hazardous seas have stalled efforts that now face a midday deadline set after repeated short extensions.

Overview

  • Basarnas extended the operation through Friday midday local time, and as of Friday morning no trace of 10-year-old Quique had been found.
  • Family appeals and a formal request from the Spanish embassy prompted successive day-by-day extensions to keep the search going.
  • Strong currents, high waves and persistent rain have constrained the multi-vessel, land-and-sea sweep across the Komodo, Padar, Rinca and nearby islands.
  • Provincial police named the boat’s captain, Lukman Hakim, and the chief engineer as suspects for alleged negligence causing death, with the cause of the sinking still under investigation.
  • Local authorities reopened maritime tourism from Labuan Bajo and introduced a ban on night navigation for tourist boats in the Komodo National Park.