Mila Yankelevich, Erin Ko Obituary, Death; – The two young girls who tragically lost their lives in a sailboat accident in Biscayne Bay succumbed to accidental drowning, as reported by the Miami-Dade County Medical Examiner on Thursday.
The deceased have been identified as 7-year-old Mila Yankelevich from Argentina and 13-year-old Erin Ko, a Chilean national who had recently relocated to the United States, according to officials.
Both girls were engaged in a youth sailing lesson organized by the Miami Yacht Club on Monday when their small sailboat collided with a barge near Hibiscus Island.
Ko, who previously attended San Pedro Nolasco School in Santiago, Chile, was fondly remembered by her school community as “well-rounded, approachable, empathetic,” and a dedicated student involved in volleyball as well as trapeze and fabric workshops.
Yankelevich, the youngest daughter of a family prominent in Argentina’s entertainment sector, was identified by relatives and Argentine media prior to the official announcement.
The incident, which resulted in injuries to two other children, has deeply affected both the South Florida and international sailing communities.
U.S. Coast Guard officials confirmed that all children were wearing life jackets at the time of the incident. The investigation is still ongoing, with authorities scrutinizing both vessels, interviewing witnesses, and awaiting toxicology reports.
One of the injured children, 7-year-old Calena Gruber, was discharged after receiving stitches and treatment for minor injuries, as stated in a family social media update. An 11-year-old girl, identified by a Bal Harbour synagogue as Arielle Itke Bas Rivka Aliza, remains in critical condition.
The youth sailing program at the Miami Yacht Club has been put on hold while the Coast Guard investigates the circumstances surrounding the tragic accident. Officials indicated that the investigation may take several months.
