A devastating tragedy has rocked the soccer world after a Valencia CF coach and three of his children were killed when their boat capsized off the coast of Indonesia.
Valencia CF confirmed the deaths of Fernando Martin, a coach with Valencia CF Femenino B, and three of his children following what the club described as a tragic boating accident. Local authorities confirmed the fatalities after an intense search effort.
“We are deeply saddened by the passing of Fernando Martin, coach of Valencia CF Femenino B, and three of his children, in the tragic boat accident in Indonesia,” the club said in a statement.
According to Indonesian and Spanish authorities, the boat was carrying 11 people when it sank during extreme weather on Friday in the Padar Island Strait, near Labuan Bajo, a popular tourist area. Martin, 44, and three of his children were initially reported missing after the vessel capsized.
Search and rescue teams continued operations into Sunday morning. Fathur Rahman, a mission coordinator with Indonesia’s search and rescue agency, told Reuters that crews were working under difficult conditions as they combed the area for victims.
Martin’s wife and one of his daughters survived the incident. Indonesian search and rescue officials said they were rescued along with four crew members and a tour guide, all of whom were reported to be safe.
Tributes poured in from across Spanish football following confirmation of Martin’s death. Real Madrid CF issued a message of condolence, honoring Martin, a former second-tier Spanish football player who was appointed head coach of Valencia’s women’s B team earlier this year.