What began as a peaceful summer sailing lesson turned into heartbreak on July 28, 2025, when a youth sailboat carrying six children collided with a barge in Biscayne Bay, near Miami Beach. The small vessel, operated by the Miami Yacht Club and Youth Sailing Foundation, was out between Hibiscus and Monument Islands when the crash occurred just after 11 a.m. Emergency crews responded swiftly, but the impact had already thrown all six children and their counselor into the water.

Two young girls, ages seven and 13, tragically died at the scene. They were later identified as Mila Yankelevich, granddaughter of Argentine TV legends Cris Morena and Gustavo Yankelevich, and Erin Victoria Ko Han, a student at Chile’s San Pedro Nolasco School. Two more girls, aged eight and eleven, were rescued in critical condition, while a 12-year-old and the 19-year-old counselor escaped serious injury. Witnesses described the chaos, with some children trapped beneath the barge and others calling for help through the water’s surface.

In the days following, the Miami Yacht Club released a statement mourning the loss and announced a temporary closure out of respect. “These young sailors were part of our family,” the club said. Meanwhile, the Coast Guard launched a full investigation, including toxicology tests on the tugboat captain and data analysis from the site. Commander Frank Florio pledged accountability, assuring grieving families: “We will not forget. We will find answers.”

At Mila’s funeral, friends remembered her love for music and costumes, a vibrant child taken too soon. Erin’s school in Chile posted a heartfelt tribute to a bright student whose future was full of promise. The community continues to grieve as authorities work to uncover the full story behind the crash. For now, hearts across Miami and beyond mourn the unimaginable loss of two precious lives.