Two young individuals, Luciana Dangond Farah and Gerónimo Ibarra Cavalli, survived nearly 20 hours adrift in the sea near Cartagena after their jet ski ran out of fuel. The pair were rescued on June 29, 2026, following an extensive search operation involving the National Navy, police forces, fishermen, and members of the local community. Their ordeal began when they rented a jet ski and set off from the island of Encanto toward Barú, but the vessel soon lost power and drifted into open waters. According to their accounts, the two initially believed someone would come to rescue them, but when no one arrived, they decided to jump into the water and attempt to swim back to shore. However, strong currents made this impossible, leaving them stranded in the open sea for most of the night. They described feeling completely isolated, without food, water, or means of communication, which added to their sense of desperation. Despite these challenges, both managed to survive by using their life jackets for warmth and support, and by taking turns resting briefly between waves. They eventually reached the vicinity of the Rosario Islands, where they continued swimming until they were spotted and rescued by local fishermen.
The incident sparked widespread concern among the families and friends of the two youths, who had been searching for them since the previous day. Their mother, Luisa Fará, confirmed that the jet ski was found later that morning without fuel in the external bay of Cartagena. This discovery led authorities to expand their search efforts, deploying multiple naval units including the missile frigate ARC Almirante Padilla, the coastal patrol ship ARC Batalla de Cispatá, and the amphibious landing ship ARC Golfo de Urabá. Additional resources such as a maritime patrol aircraft, a helicopter, and five rapid response units from the Coast Guard joined the search. The Navy also issued alerts to other vessels in the area, urging them to assist in locating the missing individuals. These combined efforts ultimately led to the successful rescue of Luciana and Gerónimo, who were found alive on the island of Barú.
The rescue of Luciana Dangond and Gerónimo Ibarra received significant attention from political figures and public officials. President-elect Abelardo de la Espriella expressed his relief upon learning of their survival, calling it a miracle and crediting divine intervention. He extended his condolences to the families of the two young people, acknowledging the emotional toll they endured during the search. De la Espriella also praised the work of the armed forces, air force, police, and local fishermen for their tireless efforts in finding the missing individuals. Similarly, the mayor of Cartagena, Dumek Turbay, confirmed that the two were safely transported to a health center in Barú and would be moved to a mainland facility for further medical evaluation. He thanked the residents of Barú for their immediate and collective action in the search, emphasizing the importance of community solidarity in times of crisis.
The experience left a profound impact on both Luciana and Gerónimo. During their time adrift, they faced extreme physical and psychological challenges, including exposure to cold temperatures, exhaustion, and the fear of death. Luciana recounted moments of intense anxiety and panic, particularly when she felt her life might end before she could return home to see her family again. She credited her faith and prayers for helping her stay strong throughout the ordeal. Gerónimo, on the other hand, tried to maintain composure to reassure Luciana and keep hope alive. Both emphasized the importance of being cautious when engaging in water activities, especially given the unpredictable nature of ocean currents and weather conditions. Their story has become a cautionary tale for others considering similar adventures, highlighting the need for proper safety measures and awareness of potential risks.
In addition to the rescue of Luciana and Gerónimo, another tragic incident occurred in the Caribbean region. A 17-year-old boy named Samuel Cárdenas Roa was found dead in the waters of Salgar, Atlantic Department, three days after he went missing while swimming in the Mahalo area. His disappearance was reported on June 25, and despite extensive search operations involving the police, fire department, lifeguards, and local volunteers, his body was discovered on June 28. The circumstances surrounding his death remain under investigation, with authorities examining whether environmental factors or human error contributed to the tragedy. This case underscores the dangers associated with recreational water activities in regions known for powerful currents and unpredictable tides.
The incidents involving Luciana, Gerónimo, and Samuel have prompted renewed discussions about safety protocols for water-based recreation. Local authorities and emergency services have reiterated the importance of adhering to guidelines, such as checking weather forecasts, ensuring proper equipment is used, and informing others of travel plans. Additionally, there is growing emphasis on the role of community involvement in search and rescue operations, as demonstrated by the swift response that helped locate Luciana and Gerónimo. While the successful recovery of the two young people offers a glimmer of hope, the loss of Samuel serves as a sobering reminder of the risks involved in such activities. Moving forward, experts and officials will likely focus on implementing stricter regulations and educational campaigns aimed at preventing future tragedies.
7 reports
SemanaIndependentCenterFactual 95Objective 807 days agoTwo young people, Luciana Dangond Farah from Montería and Jerónimo Ibarra Cavalli from Cartagena, were reported missing after they went out on a jet ski in the Barbacoas Bay area of Barú, an island zone in Cartagena, Bolívar, on Sunday afternoon, June 28. Their families informed authorities, prompting the National Navy to launch a search and rescue operation using various maritime and aerial resources. The Navy located the jet ski without its occupants in the waters of San Onofre (Sucre) and expanded the search area accordingly. The search efforts involve specialized systems like the SAR module, which uses data on recent sightings, weather conditions, and water currents to guide exploration. The Navy has called upon sailors in the area to assist by providing information through designated channels.
Bias read (Center): The article reports on a search and rescue operation involving national authorities and does not present any overtly biased language, framing, or emphasis. It focuses on factual updates regarding the search for two individuals and the resources deployed, without apparent ideological slant.
Why these scores (Factual 95 · Objective 80): Factually accurate with detailed information about the search operation. Maintains neutrality by focusing on official statements and operations without overt bias.
SemanaIndependentCenterFactual 95Objective 707 days ago Luciana Dangond and Jerónimo Ibarra appear alive, young people who were missing in Barú, Cartagena: they spent the night adrift at seaTwo young people, Luciana Dangond and Jerónimo Ibarra, were found alive after going missing during a water sports activity in Barú, Cartagena. They had been missing since they went out on a motorized watercraft in the area. The Coast Guard located their personal watercraft but continued searching for the individuals. The news was confirmed by the governor of Bolívar, Yamil Arana, who praised the public forces and community support. The elected president of Colombia, Abelardo Gabriel De La Espriella Otero, expressed gratitude for the rescue efforts and referred to the event as a miracle, invoking religious imagery. Both individuals were taken to a medical facility for evaluation to ensure there were no health complications from being in the sea overnight. Authorities emphasized the importance of safety measures for similar activities.
Bias read (Center): The article reports on a rescue operation involving local authorities and mentions political figures such as the governor and the elected president. While the president’s statement includes religious references and emotional language, the overall tone remains factual and balanced, focusing on the救援和
Why these scores (Factual 95 · Objective 70): Highly factual with details from the rescued individuals' statements. Some emotional language is present but does not overly influence the overall neutrality.
El TiempoIndependentConservativeFactual 95Objective 657 days agoTwo young people, Luciana Dangond and Gerónimo Ibarra, were rescued alive after their jet ski ran out of fuel and drifted in the waters off Cartagena. They had been missing since Sunday and were found this morning with the jet ski discovered without gasoline in high seas near San Onofre (Sucre) in the Gulf of Morrosquillo. The president-elect of the Republic, Abelardo de la Espriella, confirmed their safe return and expressed gratitude to God and the Virgin Mary for their protection. He also acknowledged the efforts of the National Navy, Air Force, police, local fishermen, and rescuers involved in their rescue. The families of the two youths played a significant role in de la Espriella’s presidential campaign in Cartagena and the Caribbean region.
Bias read (Conservative): The article emphasizes the involvement of the president-elect, Abelardo de la Espriella, in confirming the rescue and expressing gratitude, which frames the event through his political narrative. It highlights his personal connection to the families of the rescued individuals, who were key to his竞选,
Why these scores (Factual 95 · Objective 65): High factual accuracy aligning with cross-source consensus about the rescue of Luciana Dangond and Gerónimo Ibarra. However, the article includes religious references ('Verdadero milagro', 'La Virgen') and emotional language ('angustia indescriptible'), which reduce objectivity.
SemanaIndependentCenterFactual 95Objective 657 days ago Speaks Orlando Dangond, Luciana's father, after finding his daughter and Jerónimo alive: "Just gratitude to everyone"Orlando Dangond, father of Luciana Dangond, one of two teenagers who went missing after taking a jet ski in Barú, Cartagena, expressed gratitude after his daughter and her companion, Jerónimo Ibarra, were found alive. The pair had been reported missing after their jet ski capsized, and they spent the night adrift at sea before being rescued by local residents. The mayor of Cartagena confirmed their safe recovery and stated they were being transported to a medical facility. The president-elect of Colombia also commented on the incident, calling it a miracle and thanking those involved in the search efforts. Authorities emphasized the importance of safety precautions during water activities.
Bias read (Center): The article reports on a rescue operation involving local authorities, community members, and national institutions such as the military and police. It includes statements from multiple parties, including family members, local officials, and the president-elect, presenting a balanced account of the
Why these scores (Factual 95 · Objective 65): Accurate account of the rescue. However, the inclusion of quotes from family members expressing gratitude and religious references reduces objectivity.
El TiempoIndependentCenterFactual 90Objective 757 days ago A 17-year-old teenager who had disappeared on the beaches of Salgar, Atlantic, was found dead: the young man had come for a walk from BogotáA 17-year-old boy named Samuel Cárdenas Roa was found dead in the waters off Salgar, Atlantic department, after going missing during a trip to the Caribbean coast with friends. He had traveled from Bogotá to spend time relaxing after finishing high school. Samuel disappeared on June 25 while swimming in the Mahalo area and was reported missing by his companions who were with him at the beach. Search efforts involving police, firefighters, lifeguards, and volunteers lasted three days before his body was recovered. According to witnesses, Samuel and another friend entered the water but were caught in a strong current. The survivor managed to reach shore but lost sight of Samuel, who was later found deceased.
Bias read (Center): The article reports on the disappearance and recovery of a teenager, focusing on factual details such as the timeline, location, and search efforts. There is no evident ideological framing, biased language, or emphasis on political implications. It remains strictly descriptive of the event and does
Why these scores (Factual 90 · Objective 75): Accurate reporting of Samuel Cárdenas Roa's death after three days of search efforts. The article remains largely factual but lacks context about the broader situation involving the other youths, slightly affecting balance.
El TiempoIndependentCenterFactual 90Objective 706 days ago The harsh story of Luciana Dangond and Gerónimo Ibarra after surviving almost 20 hours adrift in the sea of Cartagena: 'We had nothing'Two young people, Luciana Dangond Farah and Gerónimo Ibarra Cavalli, were rescued after spending nearly 20 hours adrift at sea near Cartagena, Colombia. They had rented a jet ski, but it ran out of fuel and began drifting away from shore. The pair initially waited for help but eventually decided to swim toward land. Despite their efforts, they could not reach the shore due to strong currents. During the night, they saw search operations involving naval forces, police, fishermen, and the community, but felt ignored despite shouting for help. To survive the cold and conserve energy, they tied their life jackets together, crossed their legs to retain body heat, and used the jackets as support while trying to sleep. By dawn, they were carried by ocean currents closer to the Rosario Islands and continued swimming until they were finally rescued.
Bias read (Center): The article focuses on a survival story involving individuals who were rescued after an accident at sea. It does not involve political figures, policies, or contentious issues. The narrative is centered on personal experience and rescue efforts, with no apparent ideological framing or bias.
Why these scores (Factual 90 · Objective 70): Accurate description of the situation with the missing youths and the discovery of their jet ski. The article maintains a neutral tone despite some emotional elements from family accounts.
El TiempoIndependentCenter7 days ago Families in Cartagena of two young people missing in the Caribbean Sea call for their return: they were traveling on a water motorcycleTwo young people, Jerónimo Ibarra Cavalli and Luciana Dangond, went missing while traveling on a jet ski in the Caribbean Sea near Cartagena, Colombia. They were heading from the Isla del Encanto to the Isla de Barú but did not reach their destination. Their mother, Luisa Fará, reported to EL TIEMPO that they disappeared yesterday afternoon and that the jet ski was found today in the outer bay of Cartagena with no fuel. The search for the two individuals continues, and their families are calling for their safe return.
Bias read (Center): The article reports on a local incident involving missing persons and does not present any political commentary, framing, or bias. It focuses on the event itself and the family's concerns without taking a stance or emphasizing any political angle.
★
Keep the news honest.
ObjectiveNews is reader-funded and ad-free — we show you the bias instead of hiding it. Support independent journalism for €5/month.
Become a Supporter
CO
