Jakarta (VNA) - Indonesia has temporarily closed Padar and Komodo islands in Komodo National Park in East Nusa Tenggara to tourists due to risks from extreme weather conditions.
The decision was announced by the Labuan Bajo Harbormaster and Port Authority Office (KSOP) following a tourist boat accident on the evening of December 26 and adverse weather observations recorded at the Padar Island monitoring station.
The small tourist boat KM Putri Sakinah was carrying tourists from Komodo Island to Padar Island when its engine broke down and it subsequently sank in waters around Padar.
Stephanus Risdiyanto, head of the KSOP, said that right after the incident, it issued a notice to mariners temporarily closing cruises to Komodo and Padar. He added the sailing permit (SPB) service for the Padar-Komodo route will remain suspended until conditions improve.
The cruise ban aims to facilitate search and rescue operations for four passengers still missing from the sunken ship. Seven of the 11 passengers on board were previously rescued, including two foreign tourists from Spain, a tour guide, and four crew members.
The Komodo–Padar sea route is one of Indonesia’s most famous tourist journeys, attracting large numbers of visitors with its majestic landscapes, pristine beaches and rich marine ecosystem./.
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