Pinar del Río is in shock after a boat carrying 11 people attempting to escape Cuba capsized last week, causing its passengers to fall into the sea. So far, the body of 20-year-old Ana Elis Gazquez Vargas from Consolación del Sur has been recovered. Her body was found in Cortés (Sandino), although the boat departed from La Coloma beach.
A close friend of the deceased shared on Facebook that Ana Elis had jumped into the sea from a "rustic boat" with her husband and father-in-law, both of whom are still missing. The young woman's body was recovered last Monday, and forensic information indicates she had been dead for nine days.
Besides Ana Elis, her husband, and her father-in-law, nine other people were on the boat. Only two have been found alive and are currently recovering from third-degree burns at Hospital Viejo.
Ana Elis's brother expressed his sorrow on Facebook, lamenting his sister's death without explaining the specific circumstances or reasons for her passing. "You were my solace, and I know we will meet again. I will look for you in heaven," he wrote.
The YouTube channel 'Nio reporting a crime' claims that Ana Elis's body was recovered on July 30 and that the survivors are her boyfriend and his stepfather. However, this contradicts a comment on the Facebook wall of Luisito Gazquez, Ana Elis's brother, who identified her as the only confirmed deceased so far.
Despite the conflicting information from the YouTube channel, it is known that the deceased was from the Alonso Rojas Popular Council in Consolación del Sur and was the only woman on the boat. She left Cuba despite her mother's pleas, desperate to find a better future. She did not die from drowning but from dehydration.
The young woman boarded an improvised "skiff," which began taking on water as soon as they set sail. The boat crashed into a reef on the same day they departed, July 14. The YouTube channel also reports that many of the still-missing passengers had money from selling their properties in Cuba in their backpacks.
Questions and Answers About the Recent Cuban Boat Tragedy
This section provides answers to some of the most common questions about the recent tragedy involving a boat carrying 11 people escaping from Cuba.
Who was Ana Elis Gazquez Vargas?
Ana Elis Gazquez Vargas was a 20-year-old woman from Consolación del Sur. She was among the passengers on the boat that capsized while attempting to flee Cuba.
What caused the boat to capsize?
The boat was a makeshift skiff that began taking on water shortly after setting sail. It crashed into a reef on the same day of departure, leading to the capsizing.
How many people survived the incident?
Out of the 11 people on the boat, only two have been found alive. They are currently recovering from third-degree burns at Hospital Viejo.
What happened to the other passengers?
Besides the confirmed death of Ana Elis Gazquez Vargas, the whereabouts of the other passengers, including her husband and father-in-law, remain unknown.