Indonesian authorities confirmed that Spanish football coach and his three children died after a cruise ship with 11 people on board sank off the coast of Padar Island on Friday evening, Reuters writes.
A traditional Indonesian sailboat (pinisi) transported a family of six from Spainfour crew members and a local guide when it sank off Padara, the third largest island of Komodo National Park.
Seven people were rescued early Saturday morning. The search for four originally missing Spaniards continued on Sunday morning after a night break. From the beginning, the rescuers’ efforts were complicated by strong surf and unfavorable conditions the weather.
The deaths of 44-year-old Fernando Martín Carreras, coach of the Valencia CF women’s B-team and former footballer, and three of his children, aged nine to 12, have been confirmed by local authorities, according to a statement from the club. His wife and one daughter, as well as the ship’s crew and guide, survived the accident. Real Madrid also expressed their condolences for Martín Carreras, according to Reuters.
Indonesia’s Meteorology, Climatology and Geophysics Agency, BMKG, said the sinking of the tourist boat was likely caused by high waves associated with a tropical storm that formed south of the country over the Christmas holiday and damaged the boat’s engine, which was then left adrift at sea.
Similar accidents occur regularly in Indonesia, especially during the monsoon season when the weather can change very quickly. In addition to weather conditions, the cause is often insufficient safety standards, writes the AFP agency.
