Soccer Coach and His 3 Young Children Die After Boat Sinks Near Popular Tourist Destination

A soccer coach and his three young children have died in a boating incident.

Professional Spanish soccer club Valencia CF announced the news in an X post on Saturday, Dec. 27, saying its women’s B team coach, Fernando Martín, died “in a tragic boating accident in Indonesia.”

The club said three of Martín’s children also died. “At this extremely difficult time, the Club would like to express its deepest condolences and full support to his family, friends and colleagues at Valencia CF, Valencia CF Femenino and the VCF Academy,” Valencia CF said.

Real Madrid also shared condolences to Valencia CF and Martín’s family in a statement on Dec. 27. The team said Martín was 44, and the children who died were 12, 10 and 9.

“Real Madrid wishes to express its horror, and extends its condolences and deepest affection to his wife, Andrea, and his daughter, Mar, at this incredibly difficult time,” the club said, referring to the coach’s surviving family members.

According to Associated Press, The Independent and Catalan newspaper Diari Ara, a tour boat carrying 11 people — a family of six, four crew members and a local guide — sank overnight near Padar Island, located within Komodo National Park in Indonesia.

Port authorities in the area said the incident may have been caused by rough seas, with waves of up to nearly 10 feet reported, according to Diari Ara.

Fathur Rahman, who heads the Maumere Search and Rescue Office, told the AP that three people were rescued by a passing vessel and four others were picked up by a search and rescue team.

He added to the outlet and Diari Ara that search efforts had to be suspended on Dec. 27 due to bad weather and poor visibility, but will resume on Sunday, Dec. 28.