Four Spanish Family Members from Valencia Missing in Indonesia Shipwreck

Indonesian authorities have launched a search operation for four family members from Valencia, Spain, who went missing following a tragic shipwreck near Padar Island. The incident occurred on a tourist boat, KM Putri Sakinah, in the vicinity of Komodo National Park, east of Bali.

Details of the Missing Family Members

The missing individuals include:

• Fernando Martín, 44, a former football player and coach for the Valencia CF women’s B team.
• Three of his children, aged 12, 10, and 9.

Two other family members, Andrea Ortuño, 37, Fernando’s wife, and their 7-year-old daughter, Mar, survived the incident. They were located safely after falling off the boat during the accident.

The Incident

The shipwreck was reported around 8:30 PM local time on Friday, amid severe weather conditions that resulted in strong waves. Preliminary reports indicate that engine failure contributed to the vessel’s sinking.

Enrique Ortuño, the grandfather of the missing children, confirmed that hopes of finding them alive are dwindling. He stated that his daughter and granddaughter were thrown from the ship but managed to survive. The expectation is that Fernando and the other three children may have been trapped as the boat capsized rapidly.

Ongoing Search Efforts

Currently, rescue operations are focusing on the area near Padar Island. The Indonesian Emergency Service (SAR) has noted the challenging conditions contributing to the search delay.

Support has been extended by the Spanish government, with the consulate in Jakarta actively assisting the families of the affected individuals. They are providing ongoing information and have dispatched staff to the region to aid in the search.

Community Response

The tragedy has prompted messages of support from various organizations and individuals, including the Valencia CF, who expressed their condolences to the family. A minute of silence was held by the first team during their training session after the holiday break.

Meanwhile, other family members are making their way to Indonesia from both Valencia and Montevideo, Uruguay, to support the survivors and coordinate repatriation efforts.

Conclusion

The local authorities and the Spanish government remain committed to ensuring every possible effort is made to rescue those missing. The community’s support reflects the deep concern and empathy felt for the families affected by this heartbreaking incident.