Last Tuesday, a boat capsized on the tourist Lake Atitlan in western Guatemala, with most of its passengers being Panamanian nationals, Panama's Ministry of Foreign Affairs reported on Thursday, stating it is monitoring the incident in which at least two women from the country died. In a statement released on Thursday, Panama's Foreign Ministry confirmed the death of the two Panamanian women, whose identities "are under official verification," as well as the "rescue of several passengers." It added that "the search for a person who was presumably on the boat continues." The ministry also stated that the Embassy of Panama in Guatemala is maintaining constant communication with Guatemalan authorities and the families of those affected, providing assistance. According to preliminary Guatemalan information, the boat capsized due to strong gusts of wind and a weather phenomenon known as Xocomil. The Panamanian Foreign Ministry indicated that "most of the passengers on board were of Panamanian nationality." The volunteer fire department of the Guatemalan province of Sololá reported on Tuesday that the deceased were two Panamanian women aged 28 to 40, and that the other four people rescued from the water suffered a nervous breakdown. On Tuesday, the unidentified boat's captain was arrested pending a ruling on his responsibility for the accident. Guatemala received a total of 3.3 million tourists in 2025, the highest figure in its history, according to official data. "The situation is still developing, and the names of the victims will remain confidential until the relevant authorities formally notify their families," the official letter added.
Two Panamanian Women Die in Boat Accident on Lake Atitlan
A boat carrying mostly Panamanian tourists capsized in Guatemala, resulting in two fatalities. One passenger is still missing, and authorities are assisting the victims' families.