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Isla Mujeres New Year’s Day tragedy after minor drowns in overturned tourist boat

Isla Mujeres, Q.R. — A six year old child drowned Saturday in Isla Mujeres waters after a tourist boat overturned. The minor was part of a group of 20 Mexican national passengers on a boat that was touring when the accident happened.

Maritime personnel responded to the 1:00 p.m. Emergency 911 call for help regarding a “stalled” vessel. Elements of the navy located the boat, Camelia La Texana, near El Meco in the Bay of Isla Mujeres.

However, when they came upon Camelia, she had already overturned, dumping her passengers and crew into the sea. Twenty people were pulled from the water with some requiring medical attention. Other nearby tourist vessels offered assistance, as did a passing Ultramar ferry, however, one person, a six-year-old child, is reported to have drowned.

Strong winds and high seas are said likely contributing factors to the boat overturning, however, vessel Camelia is alleged to have been over its passenger capacity.

One passenger, 43-year-old Maria N, was taken to hospital. The captain of the boat, Raúl Alberto N, was detained by Ministerial Police.