A major search and rescue operation is underway in Indonesia after a tourist boat carrying a Spanish family sank in the waters of the renowned Komodo National Park.
Emergency Response Launched After Vessel Sinks
Indonesian authorities confirmed that a tour boat with 11 people on board sank near Padar Island on Friday evening, 26 December 2025. The vessel, which was travelling from Komodo Island to Padar, suffered engine failure before going down.
Fathur Rahman, head of the Maumere Search and Rescue Office, stated that the boat was carrying a Spanish family of six, four crew members, and a local guide. A passing vessel rescued three individuals, while a dedicated search team later recovered four more.
Spanish Football Community Mourns Suspected Victims
The survivors include the Spanish mother and one of her daughters. Tragically, the father, two sons, and another daughter remain missing. The Spanish football club Valencia CF identified the missing father as Fernando Martín, a 44-year-old coach for its women's reserve team, who was reportedly travelling with his three children.
In statements on social media, both Valencia CF and Real Madrid CF offered their condolences, indicating local authorities had confirmed the deaths. However, rescue officials have not yet confirmed this, maintaining their focus on the ongoing search.
Challenging Conditions Halt Search Overnight
The rescue effort, which involved multiple agencies, local fishermen, and a navy vessel, was suspended on Saturday evening due to deteriorating weather and poor visibility. Strong waves measuring up to 2.5 metres (8.2 feet) and darkness severely hampered responders overnight.
"Our teams have been combing the northern waters of Padar Island until dusk," said Rahman. "We are determined to find the victims." The operation is centred on a 5-nautical-mile radius where boat debris was located and is scheduled to resume at first light on Sunday.
The survivors received initial treatment at the port office in Labuan Bajo city. Komodo National Park, a UNESCO World Heritage site famous for its Komodo dragons and diving, is a major tourism draw. This incident highlights ongoing safety concerns within Indonesia's vast archipelago, where maritime travel is common but accidents are frequent, often linked to lax safety standards and overcrowding.
