Dead After Tourist Boat Capsizes in Nicaragua

A British couple rescued from a tourist boat that capsized in the Caribbean, killing 13 people, are said to be “OK” after their ordeal.

The pair’s names were included on a list of survivors from five countries including the United Kingdom, U.S. and Brazil published by authorities, and a family member said of the newly-married pair, “they’re OK”.

The commander said a total of 34 people; 26 Costa Ricans, two Americans, two Britains, three Nicaraguans and one Brazilian were travelling onboard “La Reina del Caribe” when it shipwrecked around seven nautical miles (15 km) from Nicaragua’s Corn Island.

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

All the deceased, which include eight women and one man, are from Costa Rica.

The ship’s captain, Hilario Blandon, and his assistants Carlos Prack and Shura Bonlye Welcome were rescued.

Government spokeswoman Rosario Murillo El 19 Digital the incident had been “a great tragedy”.

The boat’s captain and owner have been detained on suspicion of breaking a ban on operating while stormy weather hit the region.

‘We feel heartbroken about what’s happened and we have to ensure there is no repeat and the people responsible for this tragedy are held accountable.

Nicaraguan authorities were working with their Costa Rican counterparts to repatriate the bodies Sunday.

Some passengers remain missing, the Costa Rican foreign ministry said, but did not specify how many.