2 Sailing students killed after barges beating their boat outside Miami Beach

Two children at a sailing program died after their boat was struck by another ship in Miami Beach on Monday July 28.

A total of six people were inside the sailboat when it was hit by a barge near Hibiscus Island around 11 am local time, American Coast Guard said in a news message. Miami Beach Fire Rescue Crews were the first to arrive and were later united by rescue herds from local agencies, including Miami-Dade Fire Rescue, City of Miami Fire Rescue, Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission (FWC) and the Coast Guard Miami.

“All six individuals, an adult woman and five young people, were recovered from the water and transported to a local hospital for treatment,” FWC said in a statement via X. “Tragically, two of the victims have undergone their injuries.”

Two children were in critical condition, says the Coast Guard’s spokesman and small officer third grade Nicholas Strasburg, Per New York Times. Another child was seen by doctors at the scene but did not go to the hospital. The children were between 8 and 12 years old, said Lt Pete Sanchez, a spokesman for the Miami Fire Rescue Department, Per The times.

The sailboat was still “submerged” under the barge at the time of the US Coast Guard.

The victims were students at the Miami Youth Sailing Foundation, Miami Yacht Club confirmed in a Instagram statement Monday.

The club said that it still “actively collected all available facts” and prioritized the security of those involved. It also cooperates with authorities in the middle of the investigation.

The victim’s identity has not been published.

“Our hearts are with the families of the lost and everyone who has been affected by this tragedy,” said Captain Frank Florio, commander of the Coast Guard sector Miami. “Incidents such as this leaves a lasting impact on our maritime society and reinforces the importance of learning from each loss. The Coast Guard will conduct a thorough investigation to determine causal factors and identify measures to prevent similar tragedies in the future. We remain steady in our commitment.”

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“We expand our deepest sympathies to the families affected by this heartbreaking loss. Our thoughts remain in them during this deeply difficult time,” added FWC.

People were enough for the Miami Yacht Club and Miami Fire Rescue Department for comments.