Indonesian rescuers search for a Spanish coach and 3 children after tour boat sinks

Indonesian rescuers battled treacherous conditions Saturday while searching for a Spanish soccer coach and his three children after a tour boat sank near Padar Island within Indonesia’s famed Komodo National Park. The vessel, carrying 11 people including tourists and crew, went down Friday evening after experiencing engine failure.

The boat was transporting a Spanish family of six, four crew members, and a local guide when it sank during a trip from Komodo Island to nearby Padar Island, according to Fathur Rahman, head of the Maumere Search and Rescue Office. Seven people have been rescued so far, including the Spanish mother and one daughter, while the father and three other children remain missing.

“Our teams have been combing the northern waters of Padar Island until dusk,” Rahman said. “We are determined to find the victims.” The search was suspended Saturday evening due to deteriorating weather conditions and poor visibility, with operations scheduled to resume early Sunday.

The Spanish soccer club Valencia CF identified the missing father as Fernando Martín, 44, a coach for its women’s reserve team. In a statement posted on social media platform X, the club expressed condolences, suggesting local authorities had confirmed the deaths of Martín and three of his children. Real Madrid CF also offered condolences, though Indonesian rescue officials have emphasized that the search operation remains ongoing.

The maritime incident highlights the dangers faced by tourists in the region, even as Komodo National Park has grown in popularity as a premier Indonesian destination. The UNESCO World Heritage site is renowned for its dramatic landscapes, pristine beaches, and most notably, its population of endangered Komodo dragons—the world’s largest lizards that can grow up to 10 feet long.

Rescue efforts have been complicated by challenging sea conditions, with waves reaching as high as 2.5 meters (8.2 feet). The surviving passengers received medical treatment at the port office in Labuan Bajo, the gateway city to the national park that has seen tourism infrastructure development in recent years as part of Indonesia’s efforts to create “premium” destinations.

The search operation has mobilized significant resources, involving multiple rescue units in inflatable boats, a navy vessel equipped with diving gear, and a dedicated rescue ship. Local fishermen and residents have also joined the effort, focusing on a 5-nautical-mile (9-kilometer) radius around the sinking site where boat debris has been located.

Maritime accidents are not uncommon in Indonesia, an archipelago comprising more than 17,000 islands where boats serve as a primary mode of transportation. The country has long struggled with enforcing maritime safety standards, and issues such as overcrowding, inadequate maintenance, and limited safety equipment contribute to the frequency of such incidents.

This accident occurs as Indonesia’s tourism sector continues its recovery from the pandemic, with the country actively promoting its diverse destinations to international travelers. Komodo National Park, located in East Nusa Tenggara province, has been a flagship attraction in these efforts, drawing thousands of visitors annually for activities including diving, trekking, and wildlife tours.

The incident may raise questions about tour boat safety regulations and enforcement in Indonesia’s growing tourism hotspots, particularly in remote areas where emergency response capabilities can be limited by geography and infrastructure constraints. Indonesian authorities have periodically announced enhanced safety measures for tourist vessels, though implementation has been inconsistent across the vast nation.