The midday collision Monday of a barge and sailboat near Miami Beach left two children dead and two others critically injured, Coast Guard and local authorities said.
Rescuers converged on the scene near Hibiscus Island around 11 a.m., after receiving Miami-Dade Fire Rescue reports of a collision and six people in the water. Two of the six, a 7-year-old girl and 13-year-old girl, were declared deceased when they were brought to Jackson Memorial Hospital, according to the Coast Guard.
Two other girls, aged 8 and 11, were in critical condition. Two others, age 12 and 19, were rescued.
Miami Beach Fire Rescue crews were first on scene, then later joined by Miami-Dade Fire rescue, City of Miami Fire Rescue, Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission (FWC) and Coast Guard Station Miami Beach. The Coast Guard and FWC are investigating the collision.
In late afternoon the sailboat remained submerged under the barge, which was carrying a crane and pushed by a small workboat. A Coast Guard small boat crew maintained a 250-yard safety zone around the vessel.
In a statement to news media, the Miami Yacht Club said the sailboat was carrying children for its Miami Youth Sailing Foundation program.
"At this time, details are still emerging, and we are actively gathering all available facts," the club said. "Our priority is the safety and well-being of everyone involved, and we are working closely with the appropriate authorities and organizations to understand the situation fully."
"Our hearts are with the families of those lost and all who have been affected by this tragedy,” said Capt. Frank Florio, Commander of Coast Guard Sector Miami. “Incidents like this leave a lasting impact on our maritime community and reinforce the importance of learning from every loss. The Coast Guard will conduct a thorough investigation to determine the causal factors and identify steps to help prevent similar tragedies in the future. We remain steadfast in our commitment to accountability, improvement, and the shared responsibility of ensuring safety at sea.”
