New shipwreck in Panama leaves migrants dead on Caribbean routes

A new shipwreck, which occurred in the Caribbean waters of Panama, once again claimed the lives of migrants who were trying to return to their countries of origin by sea, amid adverse weather conditions and increasingly risky routes. The events were recorded this Tuesday, February 10, in the Guna Yala Region, one of the main areas used for the irregular transit of people in the so-called reverse migratory flow. According to preliminary information released by traditional authorities, a vessel identified as Maryi, from Miramar, in the province of Colón, sank near the administrative island of Gaigirgordub with 16 migrants on board.

The incident left at least three people dead —two women and one man— and one survivor, who was rescued by staff from the General Congress and initially transferred to the Wissubwala health center.

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According to initial reports, the victims were trapped under the overturned vessel, which hampered rescue efforts. The deceased would be of Venezuelan and Colombian nationality, while the survivor, also Venezuelan, was later referred to the city of Panama to receive specialized medical attention. Indigenous authorities reported that community divers participated in the first aid actions. Hours earlier, another boat with migrants suffered a similar mishap in the same region, although in that case all its occupants managed to survive. Those affected were assisted by local residents, who transported them to the mainland while waiting for the arrival of the corresponding authorities to begin the formal procedures.

As of the closing of this information, no governmental authority had issued an official statement on both incidents. Nor had the identity or nationality of all the victims been definitively confirmed, while preliminary investigations were ongoing in coordination with local communities.

The shipwrecks occurred in a context marked by strong winds, irregular waves, and intermittent rain in the Panamanian Caribbean. In previous days, these conditions had forced the temporary suspension of maritime operations in several areas, a measure that was lifted last weekend, despite the fact that forecasts continue to warn of a changing and unstable climate. Specialists in migration issues warn that this type of tragedy is linked to the growth of the irregular return from the United States, where thousands of people have decided to abandon their attempts to stay and undertake the return to South America and the Caribbean.

Faced with a lack of resources and formal alternatives, many opt for maritime routes from Guna Yala or the province of Darién, considered high risk.

During the last few months, other maritime accidents have been recorded on similar routes that have claimed lives and highlighted the growing risks of these journeys.

History Repeats

At the end of December 2025, a shipwreck off the coast of Colón left at least one migrant dead and dozens of people rescued after drifting after a mechanical failure on a boat carrying a group of irregular migrants bound for Colombia.

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In that incident, among the injured were several children, and the authorities had to coordinate health care and the transfer of those affected to health centers. These routes, often used by small or artisanal vessels without adequate equipment and frequently under variable weather conditions, continue to be used by people who opt for return from the United States or other countries, with the aim of reducing time or costs, even if it means exposing themselves to considerable dangers in the open sea. Humanitarian organizations and community leaders have reiterated the need to strengthen oversight, improve controls, and reinforce early warning mechanisms, especially during times of climate instability. They have also called for expanding regional cooperation to offer safe alternatives to people on the move.