At least 4 people are dead after a tourist boat carrying 19 people sinks near Cancun and the captain is in custody

At least four people have died after a tourist boat carrying 19 people sank near Cancun, authorities said. News agency.

According to the outlet, the captain of the ship “Diosa del Mar” was arrested.

The Isla Mujeres City Council said in a press release that the boat was traveling to Cancun from Isla Mujeres when it “crashed in the bay between Isla Mujeres and Cancun, upon returning to its original location.” “We express our solidarity with the families of the victims and with the people who were rescued.”

Isla Mujeres is a popular tourist island located 5.6 miles from Cancun.

There were 17 Mexican tourists and two crew members on the ship, Quintana Roo prosecutor Russell Lopez Salazar told reporters on Tuesday. NBC News.

Authorities are trying to determine whether the boat was overcrowded and whether severe weather conditions played a role in the tragedy.

“We are analyzing the weather conditions, the capacity of the boat and whether the boat has the capacity to transport 19 people, and the condition of the equipment on the boat. There are people responsible for this. We have arrested the captain,” Salazar said. NBC News.

Salazar added that the captain, whose identity has not been revealed, “bears some responsibility” in the fatal accident.

According to the Associated Press, several passengers were recovered from the sea by the Mexican Navy and other agencies.

The rescue operation is still ongoing, and the identities of the people rescued or their circumstances have not been revealed.

PEOPLE has contacted the Mexican Navy for comment.

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