A tragic paragliding accident claimed the life of a 12-year-old boy named Alejandro this Saturday on Isla de la Juventud. The incident occurred during a tandem flight at the MININT beach in the Cayos Los Monos area, as officially reported by the Cuban Aviation Club.
The boy's body was recovered around 12:30 p.m. on Sunday, following an exhaustive search that lasted over 21 hours, according to NiO Reporting a Crime, which cited a source close to the family. Alejandro lived with his family in the Abel Santamaría neighborhood.
The Cuban Aviation Club (CAC) explained that the tandem paraglider, carrying both a pilot and the child, took off from near the beach. Shortly after, a powerful wind current swept them out to sea, forcing the glider to make an emergency landing approximately 500 meters from the shore.
The club's statement, signed by "The Presidency" of CAC, noted, "In what seems to have been an attempt to release the paraglider's harnesses, the pilot lost control of the passenger, who vanished before the pilot could intervene."
The statement was released on the Facebook group "Air Sports in Cuba (CAC)" and was endorsed by René González Sehwerert, the president of the Cuban Aviation Club. González is a well-known public figure in Cuba, having been part of the Cuban espionage network, the Wasp Network, which operated in the United States during the 1990s, leading to his conviction by U.S. courts.
Following his return to Cuba, the regime honored him as a Hero of the Republic and appointed him as the head of CAC, the governing body for air sports on the island.
Investigation and Next Steps
The CAC indicated that law enforcement authorities are probing into the details of the incident and are coordinating with the club's leadership. Additionally, a CAC commission, together with the Cuban Civil Aeronautics Institute (IACC), is scheduled to visit Isla de la Juventud next Tuesday to participate in the investigation and assess legal, technical, and safety aspects of the flight.
Tandem paragliding involves a certified pilot flying with a passenger using the same equipment. Emergency water landings pose a significant risk, particularly when the occupants must free themselves from harnesses while in the water.
The CAC's message concluded with a heartfelt expression of sympathy: "The Cuban Aviation Club mourns this tragic event and extends its deepest condolences to the family of the deceased minor."
The club also mentioned that "the final results of the investigation will be made public once it is completed."
Key Questions About the Paragliding Accident in Cuba
What caused the paragliding accident on Isla de la Juventud?
A strong wind current swept the paraglider out to sea, leading to an emergency water landing about 500 meters from the coast.
Who was involved in the investigation of the accident?
The Cuban Aviation Club, the Cuban Civil Aeronautics Institute (IACC), and local law enforcement authorities are involved in investigating the incident.