Accidents & Disasters
Accidents & Disasters
No Injuries Reported After Water Taxi Runs Aground in Southern Ambergris Caye
A routine boat trip that began in Chetumal, Mexico, and was bound for San Pedro Town on November 16th took an unexpected turn when a San Pedro Belize Express water taxi ran aground in shallow waters. The incident occurred near the Belize Coast Guard base shortly after the vessel departed the San Pedro International Terminal en route to Caye Caulker. No injuries were reported, and a second vessel was dispatched to safely transport passengers to the Caye Caulker port.
Accidents & Disasters
Belize provides US$400K in hurricane relief to Jamaica and Cuba
Belize has extended support to its Caribbean neighbors in the wake of Hurricane Melissa, pledging US$200,000 each to Jamaica and Cuba for emergency relief operations. The assistance was announced on November 11th, following the Category 5 storm’s devastating impact across the region in late October. Belize’s government, along with local relief organizations, also dispatched relief packages to Belizean students affected by the hurricane in both countries.
Accidents & Disasters
Hurricane Melissa brings devastation to Jamaica and other Caribbean nations
Category 5 Hurricane Melissa made landfall in southwestern Jamaica on Tuesday, October 28th, before moving north over eastern Cuba and parts of Haiti, leaving a trail of destruction across the Caribbean. The powerful storm brought catastrophic flooding, landslides, and sustained winds of up to 185 miles per hour, tearing roofs from buildings, uprooting trees, and devastating infrastructure, agriculture, and tourism in its path.
Accidents & Disasters
Fire Guts Small Business North of San Pedro Town
The San Pedro Fire Service is investigating an early morning fire on Saturday, October 4th, that destroyed a business stall north of San Pedro Town, Ambergris Caye. The proprietor, Estela Chamul, expressed gratitude to those assisting her family in the aftermath of the blaze and shared that anyone wishing to help can reach them at 629-2510.
Accidents & Disasters
San Pedro Gas Turbine brought online after major power outage
A major power outage on Friday, September 26th, affected much of the country, including San Pedro Town, Ambergris Caye, after a system collapse in Mexico’s Yucatan Peninsula disrupted Belize’s power supply. On the island, the San Pedro Gas Turbine was immediately brought online at full capacity to keep most of the town powered until the system stabilized. The incident highlighted Belize’s heavy reliance on imported electricity from Mexico.
Accidents & Disasters
Child Injured Following Collision with SPTC Vehicle
A nine-year-old boy was hospitalized with a broken foot after being hit by a truck driven by a San Pedro Town Council (SPTC) employee on September 16th in the San Mateo area. The Town Council has since acknowledged the incident and provided financial assistance to the family.
Accidents & Disasters
American tourist dies while jet skiing near Secret Beach
The San Pedro Police Department is investigating the sudden death of an American tourist on Friday, September 26th, while he was riding a jet ski near Secret Beach. The deceased has been identified as 58-year-old Daryl La Mont McCray. Reports indicate that McCray had gone jet skiing with friends when he was later found floating in the water. Despite immediate assistance and being rushed to a medical facility, he was pronounced dead on arrival.
Accidents & Disasters
NEMO Strengthens Hurricane Preparedness for Persons with Disabilities in San Pedro
On August 12, 2025, the National Emergency Management Organization (NEMO) held a key meeting in San Pedro to address disaster preparedness and shelter provisions for persons with disabilities. The session brought together key officials, including Marshall Nuñez, national chairperson of the Special Needs and Disability Committee, and Vanessa Parham, District Emergency Coordinator for Belize Rural South.
Accidents & Disasters
Fire in San Pablo Kills One, Investigation Ongoing
On the night of August 8, 2025, a fire broke out in San Pablo, destroying a small wooden and zinc shed in the yard of Mercy Trejo’s residence on Sunflower Street. Local firefighters, led by Fire Chief Kenneth Mortis, quickly contained and extinguished the blaze. Tragically, inside the structure, authorities discovered the charred remains of a 55-year-old man, later identified as Dary Denfield Blades, a maintenance worker from Ranchito Village and a family friend who often assisted with yard work.
Accidents & Disasters
Belize Bolsters Climate and Disaster Resilience with the World Bank’s Support
The World Bank Group’s Board of Executive Directors has approved a US$20 million Development Policy Credit with a Catastrophe Deferred Drawdown Option (Cat-DDO) for Belize. The operation provides emergency funding in the event of a natural disaster and supports a targeted reform agenda to strengthen the country’s climate and disaster resilience.
Accidents & Disasters
Golf Cart Collisions Spike in San Pedro; Officials Urge Responsible Driving
San Pedro is witnessing a troubling increase in golf cart-related accidents, prompting renewed calls from authorities and local businesses for greater public awareness and responsible use of these widely used vehicles. While often perceived as leisurely or recreational, golf carts are the island’s primary mode of transportation for both residents and visitors. With narrow roads and limited parking spaces, these vehicles are essential to island life, but their misuse has led to growing safety concerns.
