Tour Boat Capsizes Near Colombia with 38 Tourists Aboard

An excursion boat carrying 38 tourists capsized off the coast of Colombia near the Barú Peninsula, according to reports from German and Colombian media. The passengers, consisting of 36 German nationals and two Austrians, had boarded the tour boat in Cartagena after arriving on the cruise ship AIDAbella. 

The Colombian coast guard stated that the vessel encountered rough seas on its return trip, with strong winds and large waves ultimately causing the boat to overturn. The accident occurred in the afternoon of March 21, which corresponds to 3:54 a.m. in German time. 

Fortunately, all individuals on board were rescued safely. Cartagena authorities confirmed that everyone underwent medical evaluations as a precaution, and no serious injuries or fatalities were reported. 

Footage of the incident has emerged on social media, showing the overturned boat surrounded by nearby vessels assisting with the rescue. In the video, passengers can be seen in the water as responders act quickly to ensure their safety. 

While the immediate danger has passed and the tourists have returned safely, the incident has raised concerns about the safety standards and regulatory oversight of such excursions. Authorities may now come under increased scrutiny to reevaluate existing maritime safety protocols and ensure similar accidents are avoided in the future.