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A tragic boating accident occurred on Friday evening involving a family of six, along with four crew members and a local guide, when their vessel encountered engine failure during a journey from Komodo Island to Padar. According to Fathur Rahman, head of the Maumere Search and Rescue Office, the boat sank, leading to a desperate rescue operation.
Rahman reported that a passing ship managed to rescue three individuals, while a search and rescue team saved four others. Among the survivors were a Spanish mother and her daughter. However, the father, two sons, and another daughter remain missing as the search continues.
In a heartbreaking revelation, the Spanish football club Valencia confirmed that one of the victims was Fernando MartÃn, a coach for its women’s reserve team, alongside three of his children. Valencia CF shared their sympathies in a statement on X, noting the confirmation of their deaths by local authorities. Real Madrid CF also extended their condolences, mourning the loss of Martin, who was 44, and his three children.
Despite the earnest efforts, Rahman explained that the search had to be halted on Saturday evening due to adverse weather conditions and poor visibility. The search operation is set to resume at dawn on Sunday.
“Our teams have been tirelessly scanning the northern waters of Padar Island until nightfall,” Rahman stated. “We are resolute in our mission to locate the missing individuals.”
Komodo National Park is a UNESCO World Heritage site famed for its rugged landscapes, pristine beaches and the endangered Komodo dragon. The park attracts thousands of visitors for diving, trekking and wildlife tours.
The survivors were treated at the port office in Labuan Bajo city as strong waves up to 2.5 metres high and darkness hampered emergency responders overnight, Rahman said.
The search involved multiple rescue units in inflatable boats, a navy vessel with diving equipment and a rescue ship, with the assistance of local fishermen and residents. It was centered on a 9km radius of the sinking site, where rescuers found the boat debris, Rahman said.
Indonesia is an archipelago with more than 17,000 islands, where boats are a common form of transportation. With lax safety standards and problems with overcrowding, accidents occur frequently.
