Death identified after boat crash in Bayahíbe

Bayahibe.- A collision between two boats in the Bayahíbe tourist area of La Altagracia province has resulted in one fatality and several injuries. The deceased individual has been identified as Juan Carlos Miguel, an 81-year-old Argentine national. Among the injured are María de los Ángeles, who suffered head trauma, Marta Roolian with various injuries, and María Ester Muova, who sustained thoracic trauma.

No further information has been provided about the other injured individuals at this time. The injured parties were transported to the Canela I Clinic and the Central Romana Medical Center in La Romana province.

Unofficial reports suggest that one of the boats struck the other from behind, causing one of the boats to overturn. The 9-1-1 Emergency System reported that around 15 people were affected and rescued by their units.

The incident took place in the Dominicus sector of Bayahíbe, within the municipality of San Rafael del Yuma, La Altagracia province, according to the National Emergency and Security Assistance System (DAEH) report.

It is worth noting that Bayahíbe has experienced at least five boat accidents involving tourists within the past year. Earlier this year, complaints were received regarding a lack of supervision by authorities in the Bayahíbe and Saona Island area, particularly concerning the speed at which boats navigate. Despite the installation of beacons in February 2021 to mark a low-speed zone and diving areas, regulations were not consistently followed, leading to conflicts with tour operators who transport a significant number of tourists between Bayahíbe and Saona Island, thus contributing to the local economy.