German and Colombian media report that an incident involving 38 tourists occurred off the coast of Colombia when an excursion boat capsized near the Barú Peninsula. The passengers, 36 German tourists and 2 Austrians, had boarded the excursion boat at the port of Cartagena after arriving on the cruise ship AIDAbella.
According to the Colombian coast guard, the accident was triggered by strong winds and high waves, which overwhelmed the vessel on its return journey. The incident occurred in the afternoon on March 21 (3:54 a.m. German time), as the boat struggled against the adverse conditions before ultimately overturning.
Despite the terrifying ordeal, all passengers were successfully rescued. Local authorities in Cartagena confirmed that everyone was medically examined as a precautionary measure, and no serious injuries or fatalities were reported.
Video of the incident circulating on social media shows the capsized boat, with neighboring vessels rushing to assist in the rescue operation. Passengers can be seen in the water as rescuers work swiftly to ensure their safety.
While the passengers have now returned safely, questions remain regarding the adequacy of safety measures and oversight in these excursion operations. Authorities may now face increased pressure to review and strengthen maritime safety protocols to prevent future incidents.
