Accidents & Disasters
Arrangements to return mainland residents back home postponed
The evacuation of mainland residents off the island scheduled for today Saturday, April 4th, was postponed until further notice. The decision was reportedly taken by the Emergency Operation Center (EOC) in San Pedro Town, who reconsidered this action. According to a message from the EOC, they are asking those that had signed up to leave San Pedro today, to be patient as proper procedures must be finalized and put in place to ensure the safety of all. The new evacuation date will be announced as soon as all plans have been confirmed.
Accidents & Disasters
Preliminary Report on BDF helicopter crash lists weather and poor judgment as probable causes
It indicated that one of the probable causes of the accident is the human factor, as the mission was carried out in hours of limited visibility and without navigation equipment. The report, which was prepared by the Honduran Armed Forces, adds that the flight was done over the water and in adverse conditions. The report’s analysis includes that one of the pilots was making/receiving reports via a cell phone, which may have led to spatial disorientation in the flight crew. The helicopter is believed to have descended at a very steep angle unconsciously during a turn, crashing at high speed in the Western Lagoon, near Gales Point Manatee, in the Belize District.
Accidents & Disasters
Air Tragedy: Belize loses four BDF airmen; investigation ongoing
An investigation is underway to find answers as to what brought down a U1-H1 helicopter attached to the Belize Defence Force’s (BDF) Air Wing sometime on Thursday, February 27th.
Accidents & Disasters
Boat collision near Caye Caulker claims the life Orange Walk resident Oscar Cornel
A tragic boat collision on Boxing Day, December 26, 2019 took the life of 30-year-old Oscar Cornel, a Councilor of the Trial Farm Village...
Accidents & Disasters
Belize Port Authority levies charges in water-taxi explosion deaths
The Belize Port Authority (BPA) has concluded its investigation into the explosion that occurred on May 5, 2019, on a boat docked at the Ocean Ferry Water Taxi Boat Terminal in Belize City. Charges have been brought against boat Captain Ernesto Delgado, as well as boat companies San Pedro Water Jets International and Ocean Ferry Belize. The explosion took the lives of eight-year-old Kimberly Melissa Guy, ten-year-old Yamiri Yasmin Guy, and injured several other persons.
Accidents & Disasters
Gustavo Lizarraga Jr. drowns on Ambergris Caye
On Friday, November 8th, 25-year-old Gustavo Lizarraga Jr., a Belizean laborer of San Pedro Town, drowned while fishing. The Police Department's official report states that around 12PM, Lizarraga Jr., along with his cousin went south of San Pedro Town en-route to the Barrier Reef area, which is approximately one and half miles east of the shore to fish. They were without life jackets.
Accidents & Disasters
BEL Team to Assist with Hurricane Restoration in Abaco, Bahamas
A team of five Belize Electricity Limited (BEL) employees travelled to the Bahamas on Sunday, October 13 to assist Bahamas Power and Light (BPL) with hurricane restoration efforts on Abaco Island.
Accidents & Disasters
Caye Caulker fire leaves one dead and several families homeless on Independence Day
A fire on Caye Caulker in the early morning of Independence Day has left one dead and as many as 16 people homeless.