Spanish women’s soccer coach, 3 children missing after boat sinks near Komodo island in Indonesia
Indonesian rescuers are looking for a Spanish soccer coach and his three children on Saturday after a boat carrying 11 people sank overnight in a popular spot in the middle. Komodo National Parksaid the officials.
A boat carrying a family of six crew members, four crew members and a local guide died on Friday evening after an engine failure on the journey from Komodo Island to Padar Island, said Fathur Rahman, head of the Maumere Search and Rescue Office.
He said three people were rescued by a passing ship, and four others were picked up by the investigative team. Survivors include a Spanish mother and one daughter. The father, two sons and one daughter were not there, he said.
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Spanish football club Valencia said the coach of the visiting women’s team, Fernando Martín, and his three children were among the victims. In a statement to X, Valencia CF expressed its sadness, saying that their deaths were confirmed by the local authorities. Real Madrid CF also expressed its condolences on the death of Martin, 44, and his three children.
“Real Madrid wishes to express its shock, and express its deepest condolences and love to his wife, Andrea, and daughter, Mar, at this incredibly difficult time,” the club said in a statement. “Likewise, we send our condolences to all his family and loved ones, and to the entire Valencia family.”
According to Real Madrid, the three children were 12, 10 and 9 years old.
Rahman said the search was called off on Saturday evening due to bad weather and poor visibility and would resume on Sunday morning.
“Our teams have been combing the waters north of Padar Island until evening,” said Rahman. “We are determined to find the victims.”
Komodo National Park is a UNESCO world heritage site famous for its rugged terrain, pristine beaches and the endangered Komodo dragon. The park attracts thousands of visitors for diving, hiking and wildlife tours.
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The survivors were treated at the port office in Labuan Bajo town, as waves as strong as 8.2 magnitude and darkness hampered emergency services overnight, Rahman said.
The search involved several rescue centers in inflatable boats, a submarine with diving equipment and a rescue boat, with the help of local fishermen and residents. It was centered on a 5-nautical-mile area of the landing site, where rescuers found the wreckage, Rahman said.
Indonesia is an archipelago of over 17,000 islands, where boats are the most common mode of transportation. With lax safety standards and congestion issues, accidents happen more often.
