Spanish Family Feared Lost After Boat Sinks In Indonesia

JAKARTA, Dec 28 (Bernama-dpa) -- Rescue teams on Sunday resumed the search for four Spanish nationals missing after a tourist boat sank in rough seas off Indonesia's Padar Island, as tributes poured in from Spain’s football community.

The missing are Fernando Martín Carreras, a coach and former footballer, and three of his children, according to Spanish news agency EFE, reported German news agency dpa.

They were aboard the wooden boat KM Putri Sakinah when it sank late Friday on its way to Padar Island from Komodo Island in waters off Labuan Bajo in East Nusa Tenggara province, Indonesian authorities said. 

Seven people were rescued from the boat, including the missing children's mother and another child, as well as Indonesian crew members, including the captain, and a local tour guide, according to the local search and rescue agency. 

On the second day of the operation, search and rescue teams recovered debris from the vessel about five nautical miles from the site of the sinking, including parts of the hull, a gas cylinder and sections of the captain’s cabin, said Fathur Rahman, head of the Maumere search and rescue office. 

The search has been hampered by strong currents, heavy rain and waves reaching up to 1.5 metres, he said.

“We are continuing the search despite difficult weather conditions,” said Fathur.

In Spain, Valencia CF confirmed that the missing father, 44, was a coach within its women’s football programme and expressed deep sorrow over the incident. In a statement, the club said it was “devastated” by the news and extended condolences and support to the family and those affected.

--BERNAMA-dpa