This archive report was first published on 5 July 2019.
On July 5, 2019, a devastating fishing disaster struck Honduras, claiming the lives of 27 people.
The tragedy occurred when the 70-tonne boat, the "Wallie," set sail from Cabo Gracias a Dios, the country's easternmost point bordering Nicaragua, after a seasonal ban on lobster fishing was lifted.
According to local journalist Jacinto Molina, the boat was overloaded, which contributed to the tragedy.
"It is clear that the tragedy happened because the boat was overloaded," Molina said.
Of the 91 people on board, 55 were rescued, while 9 remain missing.
The Directorate of Forensic Medicine sent a team of nine experts to the area to help recover and identify the victims.
The region is one of Honduras' poorest, accessible only by sea or plane, and lobster fishing is a crucial source of income for the locals.
Merchant Marine director Juan Carlos Rivera announced that authorities have suspended permits for up to three years for boats whose owners bring on too many fishermen.
