VIDEO: Fire engulfs Colombian catamaran forcing 89 tourists to abandon ship
“It was terrifying. We heard screams and saw people jumping into the water,” says Carla Mendez, a tourist from Bogota, who witnessed the horrifying moment a catamaran burst into flames off Santa Marta in Colombia on 3 March.
Eighty-nine tourists and three crew leapt over the side to safety – seemingly none were seriously injured.
A statement from Taximarino (via Facebook) the company which MIN believes owns the Katamaran Tayrona says that an electrical short occurred in the two right engines. The statement continues by noting the engines were fairly new – but MIN is unable to ascertain what ‘renewed’ means.
“It should be noted that the four engines that the boat has were renewed approximately two months ago.”
«El Rodadero», porque ayer una embarcación con 89 pasajeros se incendió en medio del mar en el sector de El Rodadero, en Santa Marta.
— ¡Es tendencia en Colombia 🇨🇴! (@TendenciaEnX) March 4, 2025
Los pasajeros huyeron rápidamente y no se reportaron lesionados.
Hoy refuerzan controles en esa zona.
Investigan el hecho.
🔥🚤🔥🌊⁉️ pic.twitter.com/JoGKgkcSEb
The company continues saying: “The safety and well-being of our clients is the most important thing. We are reinforcing our protocols to continue offering unforgettable adventures in Santa Marta.”
Local media also suggests that the fire was caused by a short circuit in one of its engines.
“They told us to stay calm, but when we saw the smoke and the fire, panic took hold of everyone,” says Carlos Gutierrez, who was onboard told the Daily Mail.
“We were only thinking about saving ourselves. There were people who were injured when they jumped into the water or tried to swim to the rescue boats.”
A spokesperson for Colombia’s General Maritime Directorate says: “The vessel was on a tourist trip when it reported the fire in the propulsion machinery so emergency protocols were immediately activated.”
The footage shows clouds of smoke pouring into the sky as rescuers collected the tourists and crew from the surrounding water.
«El Rodadero», porque ayer una embarcación con 89 pasajeros se incendió en medio del mar en el sector de El Rodadero, en Santa Marta.
— ¡Es tendencia en Colombia 🇨🇴! (@TendenciaEnX) March 4, 2025
Los pasajeros huyeron rápidamente y no se reportaron lesionados.
Hoy refuerzan controles en esa zona.
Investigan el hecho.
🔥🚤🔥🌊⁉️ pic.twitter.com/JoGKgkcSEb
All still images taken from video shared by It’s trending in Colombia (via X)
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