Tragic Yacht Incident in Miami Claims Young Lives

A severe accident occurred in Miami when barges collided with a yacht, resulting in the death of a 10-year-old girl after nearly a week of serious injuries. The US Coast Guard confirmed her death but withheld her identity.

Colonel Frank Florio, commander of the Coast Guard Sector in Miami, expressed sorrow over the loss of lives, particularly noting the impact on the children of the community.

Gabriel Grossman, a former mayor of Bal Harbor, identified his cousin Ariel Buchman, also 10 years old, in a post on X.

Fatal Yacht Crash Details

On July 28th, a yacht carrying six people capsized in Biscayne Bay around 11:30 AM. Four children were quickly rushed to the hospital, but two—seven-year-old Mila Jankelevich and 13-year-old Erin Kohan—were pronounced dead shortly after arrival. Mila was notably recognized as the granddaughter of renowned Argentine television producer Chris Morena, with confirmation of her identity coming from the Argentine Consulate in Miami.

By Tuesday, an 8-year-old girl remained in critical condition. A 19-year-old woman and a 12-year-old girl were rescued but did not require hospitalization.

Authorities have not yet disclosed the cause of the accident, but rescue operations commenced shortly after the incident. Florio stated that the Coast Guard is dedicated to an in-depth investigation to uncover the facts surrounding the event.

Amid the chaos, it was noted that the life vest worn by the young girl during the incident was observed. After the crash, the alcohol levels of the tugboat captain were tested as part of standard protocol, although details about the results remain undisclosed.

Florio mentioned that the popular sailing program involved—a summer camp that has been running since 1927—operates in what is considered a safe area of Biscayne Bay, a busy waterway popular for various recreational activities.