Belize’s Tourism Minister Anthony Mahler has characterized the tragic deaths of three American tourists at a San Pedro resort as a significant blow to the nation’s international reputation. The statement comes as a wrongful-death lawsuit progresses through the United States judicial system concerning the February 2025 incident at Royal Kahal Beach Resort.
The Massachusetts residents were discovered unresponsive in their accommodation, with initial speculation suggesting possible drug overdose. However, subsequent forensic investigation conclusively identified carbon monoxide poisoning as the cause of death, allegedly resulting from dangerous gas accumulation within the suite.
The civil litigation targets multiple defendants, including the resort property and an architecture firm associated with the family of Julius Espat. The plaintiffs contend that design or construction deficiencies directly contributed to the fatal outcome. Espat has publicly expressed condolences to the bereaved families while maintaining that his company was erroneously included in the legal action, noting the matter remains sub judice.
Minister Mahler, while acknowledging the damage to Belize’s tourism image, explicitly endorsed the families’ pursuit of accountability through legal channels. He emphasized the critical need for enhanced construction standards and safety protocols within the tourism accommodation sector to prevent recurrence of similar tragedies. “These incidents should never occur,” Mahler stated, “We must demonstrate greater pride and accountability, particularly in constructing buildings designed to host visitors within our vital tourism industry.”