The boat that was transporting 15 passengers along the Casanare River sank in the Santa María village, Hato Corozal, after returning from Puerto Rondón, Arauca.
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A tragic shipwreck on the Casanare River has resulted in the death of three people, including a minor. The bodies were recovered after 38 hours of searching in the Las Cruces area, in the Santa María village, Hato Corozal.
The incident occurred on October 6, 2024, around 4:30 in the afternoon, when a boat carrying 15 people sank while returning from shopping in Puerto Rondón, Arauca. While twelve of the passengers managed to reach the shore, two adults and a child were swept away by the river currents.
The bodies were found on October 8, one kilometer from the accident site. The commander of the Hato Corozal Fire Department, Obder Gutiérrez, reported that the first body was found at 5:40 am, followed by the second at 6:30 am and the third at 6:40 am Gutiérrez explained that, Although they initially sink, the bodies begin to float after 24 hours, facilitating their recovery.
The victims have been identified as Luis Camejo and Erinson Tabaco, while the identity of the minor is still being confirmed. The bodies were transferred to the municipality of Paz de Ariporo for formal identification and subsequent delivery to their families.
The authorities have opened an investigation to determine the causes of the shipwreck, with indications that the vessel could have been overloaded with passengers and merchandise. The Mayor’s Office of Puerto Rondón has expressed its condolences to the affected families and highlighted the importance of a coordinated response to emergencies.
This accident joins other recent ones that have raised concerns about safety in the country’s waterways. Authorities continue to work to improve transportation conditions and prevent future incidents.
