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Search Paused for Missing Spanish Family After Tour Boat Sinks Near Komodo

Rescuers plan to restart at first light Sunday after rough seas with poor visibility forced a pause.

Overview

  • The vessel carrying 11 people — six Spanish tourists, four crew members and a local guide — sank Friday night near Padar Island after reported engine failure.
  • Seven people were rescued, including the Spanish mother and one daughter, and survivors received treatment in Labuan Bajo.
  • The father and three children from the Spanish family remain missing as teams recovered debris but found no trace of them during daylight searches.
  • Operations involved rigid inflatable boats, a rescue ship and a navy unit with divers, with efforts constrained by strong currents and waves up to roughly 2.5–3 metres.
  • Spain’s Valencia CF said coach Fernando Martín and three of his children were among the victims, a claim not independently confirmed by Indonesian authorities in the reports.