Fernando Martin, a coach for Valencia CF, tragically passed away along with three family members after their boat capsized in Indonesia, as reported by the Spanish football club.
Rescuers from Indonesia were actively searching for four family members on Saturday following the sinking of a tour boat that was carrying 11 individuals near Padar Island, a well-known spot within Komodo National Park, according to officials.
On Friday evening, the boat, which was transporting six family members, four crew members, and a local guide, sank after experiencing engine failure during a journey from Komodo Island to Padar, said Fathur Rahman, head of the Maumere Search and Rescue Office.
Three people were rescued by a nearby vessel, while another four were located by rescuers. The survivors included a Spanish mother and one daughter; however, the father, two sons, and another daughter remain missing, Rahman confirmed.
Valencia CF stated that coach Fernando Martín and three of his children were among the victims. In a message shared on social media platform X, Valencia CF expressed their condolences, noting that local authorities had confirmed the deaths. Real Madrid CF also offered their sympathies for the loss of Martin, 44, and his children.
In this photo released by the Indonesian National Search and Rescue Agency (BASARNAS) on Saturday, Dec. 27, 2025, rescuers examine debris suspected to be from a tour boat that sank near Padar Island within Komodo National Park, Indonesia. (BASARNAS via AP)
As of Sunday morning, the search efforts were ongoing, according to Fathur Rahman, the mission coordinator for Indonesia’s search and rescue agency in the region.
Real Madrid CF extended their condolences for Martin, a former second-tier Spanish football player, who was appointed coach of Valencia’s Women’s B team earlier this year.
Komodo National Park is recognized as a UNESCO World Heritage Site, celebrated for its stunning landscapes, beautiful beaches, and the endangered Komodo dragon. The park draws thousands of visitors interested in diving, trekking, and wildlife tours.
Survivors received medical attention at the port office in Labuan Bajo city while adverse conditions, including waves reaching heights of 2.5 meters (8.2 feet) and nighttime darkness, hindered emergency response operations overnight, Rahman noted.
The search involved various rescue teams using inflatable boats, a navy vessel equipped for diving, and a rescue ship, with contributions from local fishermen and residents. Rescuers focused their efforts within a 5-nautical-mile (9-kilometer) radius of the sinking site, where they discovered debris from the boat, Rahman added.
In Indonesia, which consists of more than 17,000 islands, boats are a common means of transportation, but accidents occur frequently due to inadequate safety standards and overcrowding.