Jakarta, Indonesia
AP
—
Indonesian rescuers were searching Saturday for a Spanish soccer coach and his three children after a tourist boat with 11 people on board sank overnight near Padar Island, a popular destination within Komodo National Park, authorities said.
The boat was carrying a family of six, four crew members and a local guide when it sank on Friday night after suffering an engine failure during a trip from Komodo Island to Padar, according to Fathur Rahman, director of the Maumere Search and Rescue Office.
Rahman said three people were rescued by a passing boat and four others were rescued by a search and rescue team. Among the survivors were the Spanish mother and her daughter. The father, two sons and another daughter were missing, he added.
Valencia CF reported that among the victims were a coach of its women’s subsidiary team, Fernando Martín, and three of his children. In a statement on X, Valencia CF expressed its condolences, indicating that local authorities confirmed their deaths. Real Madrid CF also offered its condolences for the death of Martín, 44, and his three children. However, Rahman said the search was suspended on Saturday night due to bad weather and poor visibility, and will resume on Sunday morning.
“Our teams have been searching the waters north of Padar Island until nightfall,” Rahman stated. “We are determined to find the victims.”
Komodo National Park is a UNESCO World Heritage Site, famous for its rugged landscapes, pristine beaches and the endangered Komodo dragon. The park attracts thousands of visitors seeking diving, hiking and wildlife viewing excursions.
Survivors were treated at the port office in the city of Labuan Bajo, as strong waves up to 2.5 meters (8.2 feet) high and darkness made the work of emergency services difficult overnight, Rahman said.
The search involved several rescue units in inflatable boats, a navy vessel with diving equipment and a rescue boat, with assistance from fishermen and local residents. It focused on a 5 nautical mile (9 kilometer) radius from the sinking site, where rescuers found the wreckage of the ship, Rahman said.
Indonesia is an archipelago with more than 17,000 islands, where boats are a common means of transportation. Due to lax safety regulations and overcrowding problems, accidents are frequent.
