ISLA MUJERES, MEXICO – In a tragic turn of events, four people lost their lives while eight others were rescued after a speedboat sank off the coast between Isla Mujeres and Cancún late Monday. Authorities have detained the captain of the boat, and seven individuals are listed as missing as of Tuesday’s reports.
The tour vessel, dubbed “Goddess of the Sea,” was carrying Mexican nationals from Isla Mujeres toward Cancún when the mishap occurred. The deceased include a 64-year-old male, two female passengers aged 65 and approximately 40-45, and a 10-year-old child.
As per the latest updates, survivors of the incident have been admitted to a local hospital for necessary medical assistance.
Earlier on the same day, the Quintana Roo state civil protection agency had issued an advisory warning of strong sea winds and urged boat operators to exercise additional caution.
The Attorney General of Quintana Roo, Raciel López, reported the initiation of a search and rescue operation for the missing seven. The captain of the vessel, a 38-year-old man identified as Ramón, has been arrested following the incident.
As per Ramón’s statement to investigators, a wave knocked five passengers into the sea while they were heading towards Port Juárez in Cancún. Among the overboard passengers, he could help only one severely injured individual back on the boat before it started flooding.
Local boat operators, who received a distress call from one of the survivors, briskly responded and arrived at the scene to partake in the rescue operation.
If charged, Captain Ramón could potentially face four counts of homicide linked to the fatal accident.