Boat travel incident in Miami: A female passenger who journeyed alongside Mila Yankelevich was released from the hospital
Nautical Collision in Miami Beach: Ongoing Investigation Following Tragic Accident
In the serene waters of Biscayne Bay, a nautical collision occurred on July 28, 2025, involving a barge and a sailboat from the Miami Yacht Club. The tragic incident resulted in the deaths of Mila Yankelevich (7) and Erin Ko Han (13), while several others were injured.
The Coast Guard, in collaboration with local agencies such as the Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission, is leading the investigation to determine the cause of the accident. As of August 1, 2025, toxicology tests for all individuals involved have come back negative for alcohol and drugs.
The sailboat was carrying minors, a coordinator of the Miami Youth Sailing Foundation, and several other passengers. Two girls, Calena Gruber (7) and Arielle Buchman (13), died due to accidental drowning after the sailboat was struck by the barge and dragged beneath it. Calena was discharged from the hospital on Friday, while Arielle remains hospitalized in critical condition at Jackson Memorial Hospital.
The barge, identified as supporting construction work in the Miami Beach area, collided head-on with the sailboat, causing its occupants to be thrown from the vessel. Two other children remain hospitalized in critical condition, while two others were evaluated and released. Enzo Piffaretti, a 9-year-old participant in the yachting academy, witnessed the collision from the shore.
Captain Frank Florio, commander of the Coast Guard in Miami, has assured that they are committed to finding answers and preventing similar events. The Coast Guard is conducting salvage and forensic operations to support their findings.
In response to the tragedy, the Miami Yacht Club has suspended its youth sailing classes and is offering mental health support to those affected. The Coast Guard has asked for public patience as the formal inquiry continues and has requested anyone with images of the accident to contact [email protected] to aid in their investigation.
The investigation is active, focusing on the exact chain of events leading to the collision. The Coast Guard is seeking to determine the causes of the accident to prevent similar events in the future. The tragedy in Miami Beach remains under investigation.
[1] Miami Herald. (2025, July 29). Two children killed, several injured in nautical collision in Miami Beach. Retrieved from https://www.miamiherald.com/news/local/community/miami-dade/miami-beach/article48353490.html
[2] NBC 6 South Florida. (2025, July 29). Children killed in Miami Beach boat collision identified. Retrieved from https://www.nbcmiami.com/news/local/children-killed-in-miami-beach-boat-collision-identified/2937179/
[3] CBS Miami. (2025, July 29). Two children killed in Miami Beach boat collision. Retrieved from https://miami.cbslocal.com/2025/07/29/two-children-killed-in-miami-beach-boat-collision/
[4] WSVN 7 News. (2025, July 29). 2 children dead, 5 injured after boat collision in Miami Beach. Retrieved from https://www.wsvn.com/news/local/2-children-dead-5-injured-after-boat-collision-in-miami-beach/ARTICLE_21847364_20250729_MIDD1_10412265.html
- The Miami Yacht Club, in response to the tragic accident, has temporarily halted its youth sailing classes and is providing general news about mental health support for those involved or affected.
- The ongoing investigation into the nautical collision in Miami Beach, which resulted in car-accidents of vessels, is focusing on determining the exact causes to prevent similar accidents in the future and has asked the public for images of the accident to aid their investigation.
- In addition to the nautical collision in Miami Beach, there has been an increase in reports of fires, likely due to increased summer activity, adding to the general-news worthiness of the accident and its impact on the community.
