A tragic incident occurred at the Peñol-Guatapé Reservoir in Guatapé, Colombia, where a 22-year-old partygoer named Alexander Avendaño Varela drowned after an altercation onboard a party boat. The situation escalated, leading to Alexander being pushed overboard while struggling in the water without assistance. Despite efforts to locate him with a search involving 14 divers, Alexander’s body was found days later due to deep water and poor visibility challenges.
Authorities are investigating the incident and considering potential criminal charges against those involved. Concerns have been raised regarding the lack of safety measures on the boat, as none of the individuals present were wearing life jackets, despite regulations requiring their use on tourist vessels to prevent drowning incidents.
The Peñol-Guatapé Reservoir, a popular tourist spot covering over 2,262 hectares with depths reaching 45m, has a history of drowning cases, prompting swimming bans in the area. The tragedy has sparked a wider conversation about safety precautions and accountability in such recreational settings, emphasizing the importance of adhering to safety regulations to prevent future tragedies.
As investigations continue, authorities are gathering testimonies from witnesses to piece together the events leading to the unfortunate loss of Alexander Avendaño Varela’s life.