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Death toll from Nicaraguan shipwreck reaches 13

Xinhua, January 25, 2016 Adjust font size:

The death toll from a boat that capsized in Nicaragua's Caribbean Sea on Saturday has reached 13, said a naval official on Sunday.

All 13 bodies, 11 women and two men, have been identified as Costa Ricans and one of the victims was under 13 years old, said Chief of the Caribbean Naval District Commander Mario Berrios Madrigal.

The commander said a total of 34 people; 26 Costa Ricans, two Americans, two Britains, three Nicaraguans and one Brazilian were travelling onboard "La Reina del Caribe" when it shipwrecked around seven nautical miles (15 km) from Nicaragua's Corn Island.

The accident occurred when the tourists were returning to Corn Island after visiting nearby Little Corn Island, according to Nicaragua's official news website El 19 digital.

The boat, owned by Hilario Blandon, set sail without permission from local authorities, who had banned all maritime activity since Friday due to high winds. These winds are thought to have caused the tragedy, according to preliminary investigations.

Blandon and his assistant have been arrested and are undergoing questioning.

All 21 survivors have safely arrived in Nicaragua's capital city of Managua, said Nicaragua's First Lady Rosario Murillo during a news conference. All the bodies will be transported back to Costa Rica on Sunday evening, Murillo said.

Costa Rica's Foreign Minister Manuel Gonzalez thanked Nicaragua's government on Sunday for its support and cooperation at such a time of tragedy.

Costa Rica have declared Monday a day of national mourning. Enditem