Tragedy at sea: Valencia coach and his children missing after boat accident

Tragedy at sea: Valencia coach and his children missing after boat accident

On Friday evening, December 26, 2025, a serious tragedy occurred at sea when the boat of Spanish football coach Fernando Martín Carreras capsized near the Indonesian island of Padar, east of Bali. Carreras, the coach of Valencia FC's second women's team, was on a holiday trip with his family when the boat capsized due to engine failure and strong waves of up to 1.5 meters. A total of eleven people were on board, including Carreras' wife Andrea and their four children.

Rescue workers were able to successfully rescue seven people, including Carreras' wife and a daughter. Unfortunately, Fernando and three of his children are still missing. Enrique Ortuño, Carreras' father-in-law, reported that his daughter and granddaughter were thrown from the boat by the force of the accident, while Carreras and the other children were believed to be trapped inside the vessel when it broke apart. Valencia FC confirmed the deaths of Carreras and his children, although official confirmation from Indonesian authorities is still pending. Fernando was 44 years old and had previously played for various local clubs before starting his coaching career.

Search and rescue operations

Indonesia's search and rescue (SAR) units expanded their operations on Sunday morning despite growing concerns about the chances of survival, which have fallen dramatically after more than 48 hours in the open sea. With around 80 emergency services, four ships and several diving teams, the teams are searching an area of ​​5.25 nautical miles.

Searches at sea are often complex and can be complicated by weather conditions or darkness. The primary task of sea rescue is the evacuation of people from life-threatening situations, with the recovery of property being of secondary importance. In this case, the challenge for the Indonesian authorities is particularly high because the accident area is a long distance from the coast.

Impact on the community

The tragedy has not only shaken the sports community, but has also had an impact on other sectors, such as gastronomy in Valencia, where the owner of the restaurant "El Coso del Mar", also linked to Carreras' family, is affected. In an official statement, Valencia CF expressed its “extreme shock” and expressed its condolences to the bereaved families.

Fernando's death and the fate of his children also raise questions about the safety precautions and reliability of tourist boats. It remains to be seen what further information Indonesian authorities will release following their investigation into the incident.