Indonesian authorities confirmed that Spanish coach Fernando Martín and three of his children died after a tour boat carrying 11 people sank overnight near Padar Island in Komodo National Park. The vessel suffered engine failure during a trip from Komodo Island; three passengers were rescued by a passing boat and four by search teams, including the victims’ mother and one daughter. Strong waves and poor visibility forced rescuers to suspend operations at dusk; searches were planned to resume at first light.
Spanish Coach Fernando Martín and Three Children Confirmed Dead After Boat Sinks in Komodo National Park
In this photo released by the Indonesian National Search and Rescue Agency (BASARNAS) on Saturday, Dec. 27, 2025, rescuers examine the waters where debris believed to be from a tour boat that sank was found, near Padar Island within Komodo National Park, Indonesia. / Credit: BASARNAS via AP
Indonesian rescuers continued operations after a tour boat carrying 11 people sank overnight between Komodo Island and Padar Island in Komodo National Park. Local officials and Valencia CF said that Spanish coach Fernando Martín and three of his children were confirmed dead by local authorities.
What happened
According to Fathur Rahman, head of the Maumere Search and Rescue Office, the vessel — carrying a family of six, four crew members and a local guide — suffered engine failure Friday evening and went down while en route from Komodo Island to Padar Island. Three people were pulled to safety by a passing boat, and search-and-rescue teams recovered four more survivors, including the children’s mother and one daughter.
Rescue efforts
Rescue operations involved multiple inflatable boats, a navy vessel with diving gear and a rescue ship, aided by local fishermen and residents. Teams concentrated their search within roughly a 5-nautical-mile radius of the sinking site, where debris from the boat was recovered. Strong waves — reported up to about 8.2 feet (2.5 meters) — and darkness hampered overnight efforts.
In this photo released by the Indonesian National Search and Rescue Agency (BASARNAS) on Saturday, Dec. 27, 2025, rescuers examine debris believed to be from a tour boat that sank near Padar Island within Komodo National Park, Indonesia. / Credit: BASARNAS via AP
Rahman said search operations were suspended at dusk because of poor visibility and deteriorating weather, and were scheduled to resume early Sunday. “Our teams have been combing the northern waters of Padar Island until dusk,” he said, adding that rescuers remained determined to account for everyone aboard.
Club reactions and family details
Valencia CF confirmed that Martín, who worked with the club’s women’s reserve team, was on the boat. Real Madrid also expressed condolences. According to club statements, the three children were aged 12, 10 and 9.
Context
Komodo National Park, a UNESCO World Heritage site, is famed for dramatic landscapes, clear beaches and the Komodo dragon. Indonesia — an archipelago of more than 17,000 islands — relies heavily on boats for transport, and officials say accidents are relatively common due to occasional safety lapses and overcrowding.
The survivors received treatment at the port office in Labuan Bajo. Authorities continue investigations into the cause of the engine failure and the circumstances that led to the sinking.
