Indonesian rescuers search for Spanish family after boat sinks near Komodo Island

Indonesia Rescuers searched for four members spanish A tourist boat with 11 people on board sank on Saturday near Padar Island, a popular destination in Komodo National Park, officials said.

The boat, which was carrying a family of six, four crew members and a local guide, suffered engine failure and sank on Friday night while en route from Komodo Island to Padar, said Fathur Rahman, head of the Maumere Search and Rescue Office.

He said a passing boat rescued three people and search and rescue teams rescued four others. Survivors include the Spanish mother and a daughter. The father, two sons and another daughter were missing, he said.

spanish football club Valencia said Fernando Martin, the coach of its women’s reserve team, and his three children were victims. Valencia Football Club expressed its condolences in a statement and said local authorities confirmed their deaths. Real Madrid also expressed condolences for the death of 44-year-old Martin and his three children.

However, Rahman said the search was suspended on Saturday night due to bad weather and poor visibility and would resume early on Sunday.

“Our teams have been searching the waters north of Padar Island until dusk,” Rahman said. “We are determined to find the victims.”

Komodo National Park is a UNESCO World Heritage Site known for its rugged landscape, pristine beaches and endangered Komodo dragons. The park attracts thousands of visitors for diving, hiking and wildlife excursions.

Survivors were being treated at the port office in Labuan Bajo city as huge waves of up to 2.5 meters (8.2 feet) and darkness hampered the movement of emergency workers, Rahman said.

With the assistance of local fishermen and residents, multiple rescue teams carried out the search and rescue in inflatable boats, a naval vessel equipped with diving equipment and a rescue boat. It was centered around a 5 nautical mile (9 kilometers) radius from the wreck site, where rescuers found the wreckage, Rahman said.

Indonesia is an archipelago country with more than 17,000 islands, and boats are a common means of transportation there. Accidents occur frequently due to lax safety standards and overcrowding.