The waters of Komodo National Park were the scene of a devastating tragedy on 27 December, when the traditional wooden charter vessel KM Putri Sakinah capsized near Padar Island, claiming the lives of Spanish football coach Fernando Martín and three of his children.
The family had been aboard a short island-hopping passage between Komodo Island and Padar Island, a route regularly operated by local charter boats carrying visitors through the national park. Eleven people were on board at the time: six members of the Martín family, four crew, and a local guide.
Indonesian authorities reported that the KM Putri Sakinah encountered heavy seas and may also have suffered engine trouble before going over. Wave heights in the channel were recorded at up to three metres, and strong tidal flows were running through the passage at the time of the incident.
According to Indonesia's search and rescue agency, conditions in the area around Padar Island deteriorated during the evening hours, prompting an immediate response once the capsizing was reported.
- Boat Name : Putri Sakinah - Type : Traditional Wooden Boat - Length : 22 m - Width : 3.5 m - Engine : 4 Cylinder Mitsubishi and Jandong 300
A passing vessel rescued three people shortly after the capsize, while search and rescue teams subsequently located four more survivors. Among those found alive were Martín's wife Andrea and the couple's seven-year-old daughter Mar, together with crew members and the guide.
Fernando Martín and three of his children, Elia, 12, Kike, 10, and Mateo, 9, were listed as missing as rescue crews worked through the night. Debris consistent with the vessel was found close to the reported sinking position early in the response, leaving little doubt about the gravity of the situation.
Search operations continued into the following day but were repeatedly hampered by poor weather and reduced visibility. The narrow, exposed channels between the islands presented serious challenges for overnight searching, with strong currents and darkness both working against rescue teams.
Operations were suspended on Saturday evening local time as conditions worsened further, before resuming the next morning. As drift modelling expanded the probable locations of those still missing, the search area widened considerably. Inflatable rescue craft, a navy vessel equipped with diving gear, and local fishermen all took part in the effort, but the outcome was confirmed before the day was out.
Valencia CF announced the deaths, stating that local authorities had confirmed the loss of Fernando Martín and his three children. The club offered its deepest condolences to Andrea, to young Mar, and to the wider family. Real Madrid CF also issued a statement, expressing sympathy to the family and to everyone connected with Valencia football.
Martín, 44, had come through Valencia's own academy as a player before transitioning into coaching. At the time of his death he was in charge of the club's women's reserve side, Femenino B, and the team had been enjoying a strong start to the season.
Komodo National Park, a UNESCO World Heritage site, draws visitors from around the world for its striking island landscapes, exceptional diving, and the chance to see the endangered Komodo dragon. Thousands of tourists pass through each year, most travelling between islands on small charter vessels much like the KM Putri Sakinah.
Despite its reputation as a scenic cruising destination, the park's waters can be unforgiving. Narrow channels act as tidal acceleration zones, and sea conditions can change quickly when weather moves through the region, a combination that demands respect from any vessel operating there.
