A sailboat struck by a barge near Miami Beach resulted in a rescue operation, with six individuals, including five children, hospitalized. Authorities confirmed the incident occurred Monday morning, and divers were deployed to locate the missing occupants. All victims were safely recovered and transported to a local hospital for treatment.
The Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission (FWC) and Miami-Dade Fire Rescue (MDFR) were instrumental in the response to the accident. The FWC spokesperson stated that all six victims, an adult female and five juveniles, were recovered from the water and transported to a local hospital for treatment. Three children were taken to a hospital in critical condition, while one was transported in stable condition, according to local WSVN reports.
The MDFR reported that the call about a submerged vessel with missing occupants came in at 11:14 a.m. County agencies assisted Miami Beach Fire and City of Miami Fire Rescue on the call. Divers were deployed to search for the missing occupants, and thanks to the swift rescue response from all agencies, all persons were located and removed from the water.
The FWC is leading the investigation into the boating accident. The incident highlights the ongoing challenges and risks associated with boating on Florida’s waterways, especially in areas with high traffic and complex navigational conditions. Authorities are urging boaters to exercise caution and adhere to safety regulations to prevent similar incidents in the future.