The United States Coast Guard confirmed on Monday that two minors died and two others are in critical condition following a devastating boating accident in Miami Beach, when a barge violently collided with a sailboat carrying six participants from the Miami Youth Sailing Foundation's summer program.
The incident occurred around 11:00 in the morning, in front of Hibiscus Island. According to the official report, the sailboat with five girls and a 19-year-old young counselor was violently struck by the barge, causing the vessel to sink immediately and throwing all six occupants into the water.
According to information from NBC News, some of them may have been trapped beneath the barge.
Rescue teams, including the firefighters from Miami Beach, Miami-Dade, the City of Miami, the FWC, and the Coast Guard, quickly arrived at the scene. The victims were rescued from the sea, although some were reportedly trapped underneath the barge, according to initial reports.
Two girls, aged 7 and 13, were taken to Jackson Memorial Hospital, where they were pronounced dead upon arrival. An 8-year-old girl and an 11-year-old girl remain hospitalized in critical condition. Two other survivors, aged 12 and 19, were assessed on site and did not require hospitalization.
“Six people entered the water. All were rescued. Two of them did not survive. The sailboat remains submerged under the barge,” confirmed the Miami Sector of the Coast Guard.
On its part, in a statement posted on social media, the club stated that its “priority is the safety and well-being of everyone involved. We are working closely with the authorities to fully understand what happened.”
Although the identities of the victims have not been publicly revealed, the pain spreads among those who see these summer programs as a tool for integration for young people.
While the Coast Guard maintains a 250-yard safety zone at the accident site and leads the investigation alongside the FWC, many questions remain unanswered.
For now, the authorities have not announced whether charges will be filed or provided details about the crew of the barge involved. Their priority, they stated, is to clarify the events and ensure medical and psychological care for the affected families.
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