Search teams race against time near Komodo National Park as rough seas delay efforts to find a Spanish soccer coach and three children missing after a boat accident.
Indonesian rescue teams intensified search efforts on Saturday December 27, 2025, for a Spanish soccer coach and three of his children after a tour boat carrying foreign tourists and crew sank near Padar Island, a remote but popular destination inside Komodo National Park.
The wooden vessel, which was transporting 11 people, went down late Friday December 26, 2025, after suffering engine failure while traveling from Komodo Island to Padar, according to Indonesia’s search and rescue authorities. The area is part of eastern Indonesia’s East Nusa Tenggara province and is frequented by visitors drawn to its dramatic landscapes and marine life.
Fathur Rahman, head of the Maumere Search and Rescue Office, said the boat was carrying a family of six, four crew members, and a local tour guide when it lost power and began taking on water. Strong waves and darkness complicated rescue efforts overnight.
Seven people were rescued. Three were pulled from the water by a passing vessel, while four others were recovered later by search teams. Survivors included the Spanish mother and one daughter, Rahman said. The father, two sons, and another daughter remain unaccounted for.
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Spanish soccer club Valencia CF later identified the missing father as Fernando Martín, a coach with its women’s reserve team. In a statement posted on social media platform X, the club said local authorities had informed them that Martín, 44, and his three children were among the victims. Real Madrid CF also issued a public message of condolence.
Indonesian officials, however, said the search remains ongoing. Rahman said operations were suspended Saturday evening due to deteriorating weather and poor visibility but are expected to resume early Sunday.
“Our teams searched the northern waters of Padar Island until dusk,” he said. “Despite the challenges, we remain committed to locating the missing passengers.”
Rescue operations involved inflatable boats, a navy vessel equipped with diving gear, and a dedicated rescue ship. Local fishermen and residents also joined the effort. Debris believed to be from the boat was found within a five-nautical-mile radius of the sinking site.
The survivors were treated at the port authority office in Labuan Bajo, the main gateway city to Komodo National Park. Waves of up to 2.5 meters, or more than eight feet, were reported in the area.
Indonesia, the world’s largest archipelago with more than 17,000 islands, relies heavily on sea transport. Maritime accidents are common, often linked to aging vessels, overcrowding, and inconsistent enforcement of safety regulations.
