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TRIBUTES poured out for a Spanish soccer coach who, along with three of his kids, was killed in a horrific tourist boat crash in Indonesia on Boxing Day.
Fernando Martin, 44 years old, was the coach of Valencia’s Women B team. Rescuers found him dead after a boat with 11 people aboard sank in a tourist area.
The children Elia, Kike and Mateo also died in the Padar Island Strait, in Indonesia’s Komodo National Park. This UNESCO World Heritage Site is loved by tourists for its stunning landscape, pristine beaches and endangered Komodo Dragon.
Four crew members, a tour guide and one of Martin’s two daughters survived the sinking.
Valencia CF released a statement in which they paid tribute to their manager. They wrote: “Valencia CF deeply regrets the tragic death of Fernando Martin and his three children, who were killed in a boating accident on the Indonesian coast, according to local authorities.”
“At a difficult time for all, the club would also like to extend its support and condolences towards the families, friends, and colleagues of Valencia CF and the VCF academy.
Real Madrid has also taken to social media in order to offer their condolences. Real Madrid issued a press release saying that they were “deeply saddened” by the death of Fernando Martin, Valencia CF’s Women’s B Coach, and his three children, who died in a tragic boat accident on Indonesian waters.
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Real Madrid extends its deepest condolences, as well as its most sincere love, to Andrea, Andrea’s wife, and Mar, Mar’s daughter, during this extremely difficult time.
“We also extend our condolences, along with the Valencia family, to all his loved ones and family members. Fernando Martin, 44, and his three children aged 12, 10, 9 have died. “May they rest in peace.”
The Spanish Football Federation said that it shares the sadness of the death of Fernando Martin, the coach of Valencia CF’s women’s B-team, and his three children, who were killed in a shipwreck in Indonesia.
“We would like to send our sincere condolences his family and close friends. RIP.”
The search for the bodies of victims continues.
The body of a girl believed to be Martin’s daughter was found floating 1 km away on Monday by a rescue crew.
Martin, who was born in Valencia, spent the majority of his career as a center half in the Segunda Division B, playing for teams such as Benidorm CF, and Alcoyano. He made 219 appearances in five clubs.
In 2025, he was named manager of Valencia Women’s B Team.
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