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Four tourists have died following a boat overturning near Mexico’s Isla Mujeres, an island located approximately 20 kilometers from Cancún, a well-known spot for tourists.
On Monday night, the “Diosa Del Mar” or “Goddess of the Sea” boat departed Puerto Juarez for Cancun with 17 tourists from Mexico City on board, despite warnings from authorities about poor weather conditions. The incident took place later that night.
The boat had two crew members, a captain and a helper. According to officials, the captain attempted to steer the boat in the opposite direction but a powerful wave hit, causing the boat to sink and all occupants to fall into the water between Isla Mujeres and Cancún.
Officials successfully saved 15 out of the 19 people on the ship, including both crew members. Of the four fatalities, three were adults and one was a 10-year-old child. One passenger suffered serious injuries and was taken to a nearby hospital for medical care.
The Isla Mujeres City Council stated in a press release that they stand in support of the families of those affected by the tragedy and those who were successfully rescued.
The attorney general of Quintana Roo, Raciel López Salazar, announced on Tuesday that the captain involved in the incident in the Mexican state has been placed under arrest as part of an ongoing investigation. It is anticipated that he will be charged with criminal offenses.
López Salazar stated that he bore some responsibility.
According to local sources, the small vessel had a maximum capacity of six people and there were reports of rough seas the night of the accident.
However, the investigation will assess the maximum capacity of the vessel, the weather conditions during the incident, and determine if the crew was responsible. The area between the island and Cancún is a popular destination for tourists and ferry services. Typically, the trip between the two locations takes approximately 30 minutes.
Source: independent.co.uk
