Ship sinks off Nicaragua, 13 Costa Ricans dead

MANAGUA, Nicaragua (UPDATED) – Thirteen Costa Ricans died Saturday, January 23, when a small ship carrying 32 tourists from Central America and the United States sank off Nicaragua’s Little Corn Island in the Caribbean, officials said.

Nicaraguan government spokeswoman and First Lady Rosario Murillo said that “of the 32 passengers, 13 lost their lives, all of them are Costa Rican.” 

She said the other passengers survived and were taken to nearby Big Corn Island.

“This is a big tragedy,” she said.

“They were tourists vacationing in Little Corn Island and they headed off even though, according to our navy, they were told they shouldn’t.

The Corn Islands, made up of Big Corn Island and Little Corn Island, are located around 70 kilometers (45 miles) off Nicaragua’s mainland. Although remote, they are becoming increasingly popular with tourists.

Costa Rica’s foreign ministry identified 9 of its citizens who drowned, two of whom were US residents.

It said in a statement there had been 25 Costa Ricans, 4 US citizens and 3 Nicaraguans on the small vessel, which got into trouble “after strong winds… on Little Corn Island.”

Media reports said the captain, who also owns the vessel, was arrested after being rescued, as authorities began an investigation. – Rappler.com