The tragedy that unfolded at the end of December off the coast of Indonesia’s Komodo National Park has taken a new turn. On Tuesday, Indonesian rescuers reported discovering a third victim and the hull of the tourist boat carrying the Spanish family. The fate of two children remains unknown, and the story has sparked a wave of emotions and questions in Spain.
Everything happened on December 26, when six Spaniards—two adults and four children—set out on a sea voyage aboard the KM Putri Sakinah tourist boat. That evening, the vessel sank near Padar Island. Rescuers and local fishermen launched immediate searches, but the first days yielded no results. Only several days later was an adult male found, then the body of a young girl, and now another victim along with the boat’s hull have been discovered.
Details of the tragedy
According to official reports, the third body and the boat’s hull were found approximately 14 kilometers from the vessel’s last recorded position. Fishermen who spotted the wreckage alerted rescuers. The operation to recover the body and hull took several hours, after which the remains were transported to the city of Labuan Bajo for identification and examination.
Among the victims already identified are Fernando Martín — a former footballer and coach of Valencia’s women’s team — as well as his wife’s daughter, Andrea Ortuño. Andrea and another daughter were rescued immediately after the crash, but two boys, aged 9 and 10, are still missing. The search for them continues, but hope for a positive outcome is fading with each passing day.
Search and emotions
The search operation for the missing is being hampered by harsh weather conditions and strong currents near the island of Padar. Divers and rescuers are working almost nonstop, but the chances of finding survivors are minimal. The victims’ families and the public in Spain are closely following the developments, openly expressing their pain and outrage.
This tragedy has caused a wave of public outcry in Spain. Many are questioning whether all safety measures were followed on board the vessel, and why a sightseeing trip ended in catastrophe. Debates rage on social media, while the football community in Valencia is expressing condolences to the families and friends of the victims.
Unanswered questions
So far, officials have refrained from commenting on the causes of the sinking, but it is known that the vessel went down very quickly. Some eyewitnesses claim there were not enough life-saving devices on board, but this information has yet to be confirmed. Relatives of the missing are demanding a thorough investigation and accountability for those responsible, if any are found.
The situation remains tense. With each passing day, hope fades, but rescuers continue their efforts. Spain awaits news from Indonesia, and the tragedy of the Martín and Ortuño families has already become one of the most talked-about events of the year so far.
