分类： society

A routine water taxi journey between San Pedro and Caye Caulker took an unexpected turn over the weekend when a San Pedro Belize Express vessel experienced a steering malfunction and ran aground on a small island west of San Pedro. The incident, which occurred on November 17, 2025, involved 40 individuals, including 36 passengers and 2 crew members. Fortunately, no serious injuries were reported, but the Belize Port Authority and the Belize Coast Guard have launched investigations to determine the cause of the accident.

Ports Commissioner Kaylon Young confirmed that the vessel encountered mechanical issues with its steering system, leading it to veer into shallow waters near the island. He emphasized the importance of identifying the root cause, whether it was related to the vessel’s condition, the competence of the crew, or the navigation equipment. Young also highlighted the stringent annual inspections and safety requirements for commercial passenger vessels, underscoring the need to ensure passenger safety.

Lieutenant Mark Choc, Operations Officer of the Coast Guard, described the swift response to the incident, with rescue teams arriving within 5 to 10 minutes after being alerted by a fisherman. He confirmed that the vessel was ‘high and dry’ and that all crew members were safe, with no serious injuries observed. Choc stressed the critical importance of rapid response in such emergencies, noting that the Coast Guard aims to maintain a 15-minute response time to prevent potential loss of life.

While the exact cause of the grounding remains under investigation, authorities are committed to uncovering the factors that led to the incident. A second vessel from the same company arrived shortly after to safely transport passengers from the scene. The investigation is ongoing, and further details are expected to be released once the findings are complete.

The tragic murder of 36-year-old Byron James has left his family in shock, as they believe he was the victim of mistaken identity. The incident occurred late Friday night when two masked gunmen entered the yard of his Castle Street home and fatally shot him. Byron’s sister-in-law, Leah James, recounted the harrowing moments, stating that the attack happened just seconds after he stepped outside for a cigarette. She described rushing to the scene and being the first to see his lifeless body on the ground. Leah also revealed that her seven-year-old daughter witnessed the gunfire, adding to the family’s trauma. Byron’s brother, Nikolai James, spoke of Byron’s efforts to turn his life around, emphasizing his role as a loving uncle and his desire to leave his troubled past behind. Byron had recently been released from Belize Central Prison after a prolonged legal battle related to a 2012 murder conviction. The case had been stalled due to procedural delays, leading to his eventual release. Police have detained one man for questioning and recovered two nine-millimetre pistols, which will undergo ballistic testing. Assistant Superintendent Stacy Smith confirmed that no motive has been established yet. The family is now grappling with the loss of a man they say was striving for redemption.

In a devastating turn of events, 70-year-old Daniel Puerto tragically lost his life on Sunday night after being struck by a minivan while seated on George Price Highway in Roaring Creek Village. The incident took a further grim twist when Puerto was reportedly run over a second time by a police vehicle. Albert Budd, a close friend of Puerto, recounted the harrowing moments leading up to the accident. Budd had offered Puerto a ride home, but before he could act, he heard a loud crash. Upon returning, he discovered that his cousin had inadvertently struck Puerto with the minivan. Budd further alleged that the police mobile subsequently ran over Puerto’s head while he lay on the ground, compounding the tragedy. Assistant Superintendent of Police Stacy Smith addressed the media, providing details of the incident. She stated that the minivan driver, Michael McFadzean, was not suspected of being under the influence at the time of the collision. The minivan has been impounded for further investigation, and a notice of intended prosecution has been issued to McFadzean. Smith also mentioned that Puerto was known to frequently sit on the road, a habit that may have contributed to the accident. A post-mortem examination is underway to determine if alcohol or drugs played a role in the incident.

Authorities in Belize City have detained one suspect following the fatal shooting of 36-year-old Byron James, who was killed outside his family’s residence on Castle Street late Friday night. The incident, which occurred in the Old Capital, has prompted an intensive police investigation. Assistant Superintendent of Police Stacy Smith reported that officers arrived at the scene around 9:55 p.m. and discovered James lying motionless. Preliminary investigations suggest that two masked individuals entered the yard, opened fire, and fled the scene. A family member recounted hearing approximately five gunshots. Law enforcement officials recovered two nine-millimetre pistols, which have been sent to the National Forensic and Science Services laboratory for ballistic testing to ascertain their involvement in the crime. The motive remains unclear, and one individual is currently in police custody. James, who had recently been released from Belize Central Prison after appealing a murder conviction, was out on bail at the time of his death. A post-mortem examination is pending to determine the exact cause of death.