Jakarta, Indonesia
AP
—
Indonesian rescue teams searched for a Spanish soccer coach and his three children on Saturday after a tourist boat carrying 11 people sank overnight near Padar Island, a popular destination in Komodo National Park, officials said.
The boat, carrying six family members, four crew members and a local guide, sank on Friday night after suffering an engine failure while traveling from Komodo Island to Padar, said Fatur Rahman, director of Maumere Search and Rescue Office.
He said three people were rescued by a passing vessel and the remaining four were rescued by search and rescue teams. Survivors included a Spanish mother and a daughter. A father, two sons and a daughter are reportedly missing.
Spanish soccer club Valencia announced that Fernando Martín, the coach of the women’s reserve team, and his three children were among the victims. Valencia CF expressed their condolences in a statement regarding “X,” whose death was confirmed by local authorities. Real Madrid CF also expressed its condolences over the death of 44-year-old Martin and his three children.
But Rahman said the search was called off Saturday night due to bad weather and low visibility and would resume early Sunday morning.
“Our team was searching the waters north of Padar Island until dusk,” Rahman said. “We are determined to find the victim.”
Komodo National Park is a UNESCO World Heritage Site famous for its rugged landscape, pristine beaches, and endangered Komodo dragon. The park attracts thousands of tourists for diving, trekking, and wildlife tours.
Rahman said the survivors were treated at the port office in Labuan Bajo city as strong waves up to 2.5 meters (8.2 feet) high and darkness hampered emergency response efforts overnight.
The search involved multiple rescue teams in rubber boats, a naval vessel with diving equipment, and a rescue boat, with assistance from local fishermen and residents. Rahman said the center of the wreck was within a 5 nautical mile (9 km) radius, and rescue workers had found the wreckage of the boat.
Indonesia is an archipelago of more than 17,000 islands, and boats are a common mode of transportation. Accidents occur frequently due to lax safety standards and overcrowding issues.
