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Federal authorities in the United States have requested the public's assistance in clarifying the causes of the tragic boating accident that occurred off Hibiscus Island in Miami, which resulted in the deaths of two girls.
Investigators from the Coast Guard Sector Miami have requested that citizens provide "any available images, videos, and testimonies" that could shed light on the collision between a barge and a sailboat carrying six individuals, including five girls and a young instructor.
The boating accident occurred on Monday, July 28, around 11:00 a.m. The sailors on the sailboat were participating in a summer camp organized by the Miami Youth Sailing Foundation.
The vessels collided near the mentioned island, an artificial area located close to the Port of Miami. The sailboat sank after becoming trapped under the barge, causing its occupants to fall into the sea.
Two of the minors, Mila Yankeleich, 7 years old and of Argentine nationality, and Erin Victoria Ko Han, 13 and of Chilean origin, were rescued but later died after being taken to Jackson Memorial Hospital.
Other two girls, aged 8 and 11, were hospitalized in critical condition, but this Friday it was confirmed that one of them has already been discharged. The other two survivors, aged 12 and 19, were assessed at the scene of the incident, without requiring hospitalization.
The Miami-Dade County coroner reported that the two victims died from drowning.
The Coast Guard specified that alcohol and drug tests were conducted on both the operator of the sailboat and the crew of the tugboat and barge, and that all results were negative.
Additionally, a 250-yard safety zone has been established around the site of the incident, where the sailboat remains submerged.
“We are committed to a thorough investigation to understand the causes of this accident and to prevent similar tragedies in the future,” stated Captain Frank Florio, commander of the Miami Sector. “Our thoughts are with the families of the deceased girls and all those affected by this tragic event,” he added.
Individuals who possess visual material or relevant information can contact the researchers via email at: MiamiIO@uscg.mil.
So far, the authorities have not confirmed whether charges will be brought against any of the parties involved. Their stated priority is to advance the investigation and provide support to the affected families.
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