Spanish coach and his three children die in shipwreck in Indonesia
Fernando Martin served as technical director of Valencia CF Women's team
The world of Spanish football is in deep mourning after the confirmation of devastating news from Southeast Asia. Fernando Martin, technical director of Valencia CF Women's B team, and three of his minor children have died after the boat they were traveling in sank near Padar Island, Indonesia. What began as a family adventure to Komodo Island ended in a tragedy that has gripped local authorities and the international sporting community. The accident occurred around 8:30 pm on Friday, Indonesian time, when the wooden boat, the KM Putri Sakinah, approximately 20 meters long, collided with large waves. Reports indicate the impact caused a possible engine failure and the subsequent breakup of the vessel. Eleven people were on board, including the Spanish family, the crew, and a tour guide. Enrique Ortuno, Martin's father-in-law, recounted the harrowing moment when his daughter Andrea and his youngest granddaughter managed to escape because they were on the upper deck of the boat. However, the rest of the family were not so fortunate, remaining trapped in their cabins. "The bodies must be at the bottom of the sea, in the half of the boat that the authorities have not yet located. It will be difficult to recover the bodies unless there is a miracle," Ortuno expressed with deep sadness. Seven people were rescued alive during the early hours of the morning thanks to the intervention of a vessel from the Maumere Search and Rescue Mission and another tourist boat. However, Fernando, 44, and his children, ages 12, 10, and 9, remain missing in the submerged structure, while diving teams intensify their efforts under complex maritime conditions. An irreparable void in Valencian and Spanish football. The magnitude of the event has provoked an immediate reaction from the most important institutions in football. Valencia CF, the club where Martin had worked for a decade, issued an official statement: "Valencia CF is deeply saddened by the death of Fernando Martin, Valencia CF Women's B coach, and three of his children died in a tragic boat accident in Indonesia, as confirmed by local authorities. From the club, we want to send, at such a difficult time for everyone, our support and condolences to family, friends, and colleagues.”
Real Madrid also joined in expressing their grief through an official statement. “Real Madrid CF, its president, and its Board of Directors deeply regret the passing of Fernando Martin… Real Madrid wishes to express its immense dismay at what has happened and wishes to express its condolences and all its affection to his wife, Andrea, and his daughter, Mar, in these difficult times,” the Madrid club stated.
Fernando Martin left an important mark as a footballer before his coaching career. A product of the Valencia youth academy, he played for various clubs across Spain, such as CD Denia, Cultural Leonesa, Cartagena, and Alcoyano, until his retirement in 2015. This season, he was leading the women's reserve team with the goal of promotion, consolidating a 10-year career at the Valencia CF Academy.

