Indonesian search and rescue teams have recovered a second body as the desperate hunt for a Spanish football coach and two of his children continues, following a tragic boat sinking during their Christmas holiday.
Search Extended Amid Grim Discoveries
The operation, now in its tenth day, was extended after a review by the joint SAR team. Fathur Rahman, chief of the Maumere Search and Rescue Office, confirmed the second body was found floating near Padar island, roughly two kilometres from where the vessel went down on the evening of 26 December.
The body, which remains formally unidentified, is believed to be a member of the missing family. It has been taken to a hospital in Labuan Bajo, the gateway town to Komodo National Park in eastern Indonesia, for forensic identification.
A Family Holiday Turns to Tragedy
The incident has cast a shadow over what was meant to be a festive family trip. The group was on a tour boat in the famed Komodo National Park, a UNESCO World Heritage site, when the vessel suffered engine failure and sank.
On board were 44-year-old Fernando Martín, a coach for Valencia CF Women's B team, his wife, their four children, four crew members, and a local guide. While the wife, one child, all four crew, and the guide were rescued in the immediate aftermath, Martín and three of his children—aged 9, 10, and 12—were lost.
The first victim, the 12-year-old Spanish girl, was found three days after the sinking in the waters near Serai island. Her identity was confirmed by her mother and through medical examination.
International Efforts and Ongoing Operation
The Spanish government is deeply involved, with its ambassador formally requesting a reinforced and continued search in a letter dated 31 December. Under Indonesian law, such operations typically last seven days but can be prolonged if there is hope of finding victims.
"We are determined to find all the victims," stated Rahman. "We remain optimistic that the hard work of all SAR elements will yield results during this extended operation," which is now set to continue until at least 4 January.
The scale of the mission is significant, with more than 160 personnel from the rescue agency, police, and navy combing four designated sectors. They are using inflatable boats, navy ships, and specialist vessels equipped with sonar and underwater navigation gear. Divers have also been deployed across the park's waters.
This tragedy highlights ongoing concerns about maritime safety in Indonesia, a vast archipelago of over 17,000 islands where boats are a primary transport link. Accidents are frequent, often linked to lax safety standards and overcrowding.
