Indonesian rescuers search for missing speedboat carrying 11 European tourists

The vessel departed from Tanjung Unauna regency on July 24, bound for Marisa Port in Gorontalo province but failed to arrive as scheduled.

Published - July 25, 2026 01:26 pm IST | Palu

AP — Indonesian rescuers are searching for a speedboat carrying 11 European tourists and two local crew members that went missing off a bay on Sulawesi island, officials said on Saturday (July 25, 2026).

The vessel departed from Tanjung Unauna regency on Friday (July 24, 2026), bound for Marisa Port in the neighbouring Gorontalo province but failed to arrive as scheduled, said Heriyanto, Head of the Gorontalo Province Search and Rescue Office.

A local tour guide reported the missing boat to the search and rescue office at 3:40 p.m. on Friday (July 24, 2026), prompting an immediate search operation, said Mr. Heriyanto, who, like many Indonesians, uses a single name. Concerns arose when their speedboat had not arrived by afternoon, Mr. Heriyanto said.

"We immediately launched a search mission overnight but until now have not found any signs of the vessel or people on board."

Passengers on Board

According to Indonesian authorities, the following individuals were on board:

• One Czech man
• One Belgian man
• Five Dutch nationals
• Three Germans
• One French woman
• Two Indonesian crew members

Search Operation Details

Mr. Heriyanto said dozens of search-and-rescue teams were deployed in a search operation covering approximately 300 square nautical miles of waters along and around Tomini Bay, based on the tour boat's route projections. A thermal-imaging drone and diving equipment are also being used in the search, he said.

Weather and Sea Conditions

Indonesia's meteorological agency forecast generally clear skies in the area, but rescuers on Saturday (July 25, 2026) have faced challenging sea conditions, including strong winds and waves reaching up to 2.5 metres high.

Published - July 25, 2026 01:26 pm IST