Press "Enter" to skip to content

American tourist reported missing during solo Cozumel snorkel found alive

Cozumel, Q.R. — A search operation by local authorities for a missing American tourist implemented Sunday found him alive. The man, an American visitor to the island, was reported missing by his wife after he failed to return on time.

The missing tourist, 37-year-old Dmitri Sandler, was found during a Sunday search by a rescue team. Members of the SSC (Secretaría de Seguridad Ciudadana) were part of the search operation carried out by air, sea and land.

Search and rescue efforts were lead by Fernando González Felipe, the Director of Public Security of Cozumel and Alfredo Arellano, the Director of Cozumel Civil Protection.

The man was reported missing on the coastal highway of Isla de las Golondrinas early Sunday. Sandler went spear fishing alone. While snorkeling for fish, he was carried out by the current.

Cozumel authorities brought in a helicopter to search by air, while foot patrols took to the beaches and an ATV to the jungle where he was last thought to be. A vessel from Semar (Secretary of the Marina) was also deployed to scour the coast.

A helicopter was used in the search along with men on foot and an ATV jungle search.
He is seen here on the back of the ATV after being located in the east part of the island.

The state’s Águila II helicopter spotted him in the sea from where his coordinates were passed on to Marina personnel who pulled him from the water. He was rescued on Playa Ixpalbarco on the east side of the island.

He was reunited with his wife by members of the ATV ground patrol. She was waiting on a beach with police.

In a statement, the Secretaría de Seguridad Ciudadana (SSC) reported “Semar and Civil Protection were able to locate a tourist who was reported missing in Cozumel safe and sound.

The American tourist was spear fishing alone when he was dragged out to sea by the Cozumel current. Photo: October 6, 2024.

“Following the report of a missing person on the coastal highway of Isla de las Golondrinas, the Secretariat of Citizen Security of Quintana Roo reports that thanks to the timely action and with the help of the Águila II, which activated a search and rescue operation, the person who had been reported missing when he entered the sea, was found alive.

“The general public is asked to respect the indications about the weather conditions when entering the sea, as well as to stay informed through the official networks of the State Government.”

Many of the state’s beaches are marked with red flags due to ongoing thunderstorms and now, the approaching of Hurricane Milton, which is expected to begin hitting the region later today.