On Thursday afternoon, February 19, a shipwreck was reported involving a vessel traveling the route between Tortuga Bay and Puerto Ayora on Santa Cruz Island in the Galápagos. The Ecu 911 service received an emergency call about the incident at 5:40 PM, prompting a coordinated response from various institutions, including the Armed Forces, Galápagos National Park, the Ministry of Public Health, National Police, Risk Management Secretariat, Fire Department, and the Red Cross.

As of 10:54 PM, rescue teams were actively engaged in operations to rescue and evacuate individuals from the site of the wreck. Medical personnel from various response organizations were deployed to the El Velero dock to assist those rescued. Preliminary reports indicate that there may be one fatality, reportedly the captain of the vessel, though details are still emerging.

This tragic incident underscores the need for robust maritime safety measures in the Galápagos, a region known for its ecological significance and popularity among tourists. Authorities are expected to conduct a thorough investigation into the cause of the wreck and to review safety protocols to prevent future incidents of this nature.