San Felipe: Eight-year-old boy dies in hotel pool accident

An eight-year-old boy, identified as Matías Santiago Bazán Colmenarez, died by drowning on Saturday, October 3, 2026, in a hotel pool located in the San José de Carúpano sector of San Felipe, Yaracuy.

The child was participating in a recreational outing with his parents and classmates when the accident occurred. According to reports, the boy was playing near his father before losing sight of him. Security footage reviewed by authorities reportedly shows the child playing on the pool stairs before sliding into the deeper section of the water. Despite efforts to rescue him and an emergency transfer to the Hospital Pediátrico Niño Jesús de San Felipe, the child was pronounced dead upon arrival.

The Scientific, Criminal, and Investigative Corps (CICPC) conducted an investigation at the scene and reviewed surveillance cameras. A forensic autopsy performed by the National Service of Medicine and Forensic Sciences (SENAMECF) determined the cause of death was respiratory failure due to immersion, ruling out other causes.