A tragedy unfolded on Tuesday when a motorized boat carrying a group of travelers capsized on Lago de Yojoa, one of Honduras’s most visited natural sites. Edwin Montes, the mayor of Marale, confirmed that a woman and two children under ten and twelve years old died in the incident. The vessel carried at least a dozen people when it overturned on the lake, which sits at the borders of the departments of Comayagua, Cortés, and Santa Barbara.
So far, one of the deceased has been identified: Yanoris Ramos, a teacher by profession. The victims are said to be residents of Marale, a town in the north of the Francisco Morazán department, where Tegucigalpa is located. The authorities have not released additional identities as families await word.
The cause of the accident has not yet been determined by authorities. Mayor Montes noted that the area has been cordoned off while specialists from the Public Prosecutor’s Office’s Forensic Medicine service prepare to work at the scene.
The three bodies will be transported to Tegucigalpa, the capital, for autopsy procedures, the mayor said. The autopsies will be conducted by the Forensic Medicine service in the capital city.
Lago de Yojoa, located in central Honduras, is a popular destination for nature lovers, bird watchers, and families seeking day trips. The lake stretches across multiple municipalities and departments, offering scenic views and a range of boat tours and water activities. The incident underscores the importance of boating safety on inland waters, particularly during high-traffic travel seasons. Local authorities and the community are likely to review safety protocols, including life jackets, crew training, and capacity limits on vessels operating in the area.
The disaster also affected families from Marale, whose residents were traveling together when the vessel capsized. Marale sits to the north of the Francisco Morazán department and is a hub for residents who rely on nearby waterways for transport, fishing, and tourism. The tragedy is a stark reminder of how quickly a leisure outing can turn into a deadly event, altering the lives of several households in a matter of minutes.
In the coming days, authorities will continue the investigation, gather testimonies from survivors, and coordinate with health officials in Tegucigalpa to handle the autopsy process and family support services. The community will await further updates as more information becomes available from the Public Prosecutor’s Office and local officials.