MIAMI BEACH, Fla. — A devastating collision between a barge and a sailboat in Biscayne Bay near Hibiscus Island prompted a large-scale search and rescue operation on Monday, July 28, 2025, resulting in the tragic loss of two children and one child left unresponsive. The incident, which occurred around 11:15 a.m., involved a sailboat carrying five children, aged 8 to 12, and an adult female counselor from the Miami Youth Sailing Foundation, a program affiliated with the Miami Yacht Club.
Emergency services, including Miami Beach Fire Rescue, Miami Fire Rescue, Miami-Dade Fire Rescue, the Miami Beach Police Department, and the Miami-Dade Sheriff’s Office, responded swiftly to reports of a submerged vessel near Hibiscus Island. The sailboat, struck by a barge, capsized and sank, throwing all six occupants into the water. Aerial footage captured the chaotic scene, with divers searching the waters and medics performing CPR on at least one victim.
Rescue crews successfully recovered all six individuals from the water. Three children were transported to Jackson Memorial Hospital’s Ryder Trauma Center in critical condition, one child was taken in stable condition, and one child and the adult counselor were evaluated at the scene but did not require hospitalization. Tragically, two children were pronounced dead at the hospital, and one remains unresponsive, according to the U.S. Coast Guard. The ages and identities of the victims have not been released.
The Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission (FWC) is leading the investigation into the collision, which occurred between Monument Island and Hibiscus Island. Preliminary reports suggest the barge struck the sailboat, causing it to sink rapidly. The exact circumstances leading to the crash remain under investigation, with authorities working to determine the cause.
Miami Beach Police confirmed that all victims were accounted for within an hour of the initial call, and rescue operations were staged at 90 S. Hibiscus Drive. Hibiscus Island, a gated residential community, was temporarily closed to non-emergency traffic to facilitate the response. The Miami Yacht Club issued a statement emphasizing their priority on the safety and well-being of those involved, noting they are working closely with authorities to gather all relevant facts.
Local resident Enzo, a 9-year-old who witnessed the incident from shore, described the barge as a “big garbage boat” that collided with the sailboat, causing the occupants to be thrown overboard. The swift response from multiple agencies ensured all individuals were located and removed from the water, but the tragic outcome has left the community in mourning.
Authorities are urging boaters and residents to avoid the area to allow emergency operations and the ongoing investigation to proceed without interference. The incident remains under active investigation, with further updates expected as new information emerges.
This is a developing story, and the community awaits additional details as the investigation continues.