WILLEMSTAD – A Chilean tourist was rescued Tuesday afternoon after drifting nearly four kilometers off the coast near Piscadera in Curaçao, following a distress situation at sea.
According to the coast guard, the woman had gone out on the water in an inflatable kayak but was caught off guard by strong winds and rough sea conditions. During the incident, she lost her paddle, leaving her unable to steer and causing her to drift further out to sea.
Despite the dangerous situation, the tourist managed to contact police using her mobile phone. Authorities immediately alerted the coast guard, which launched a rescue operation.
While a rescue vessel was dispatched, police remained in contact with the woman to reassure her and monitor her condition. She was eventually located at sea and safely brought back to shore.
Officials confirmed that the tourist was still within Curaçao’s territorial waters at the time of the rescue, although she had already drifted a considerable distance from land. Afterward, she was transported back to her hotel.
The incident highlights the risks posed by current weather conditions, with strong winds continuing to create rough seas around the island. Emergency services are urging residents and visitors to exercise caution, particularly when using lightweight equipment such as inflatable kayaks.