PLAYA DEL CARMEN, Q. Roo – U.S. and Canadian citizens are being warned to exercise caution – and U.S. government personnel are being prohibited – in using the tourist ferry that connects Playa del Carmen with the island of Cozumel off the coast of Quintana Roo state.
A blast last month on a boat operated by the Barcos Caribe ferry company was caused by “an explosive device” that injured some 25 passengers, including U.S. tourists, the U.S. embassy in Mexico City said.
The U.S. Embassy issued its warning early this month, and several days later Canadian authorities followed suit. Subsequently, the U.S. Embassy announced it would close its consular office in Playa del Carmen due to security concerns.
However, the PDC consular office was subsequently scheduled to reopen by U.S. authorities on Monday March 12.
A security alert posted on the U.S. embassy’s website warned American citizens to exercise caution and said Mexican authorities continued to investigate the blast.
Two more explosive devices were found attached to another ferry on the island of Cozumel subsequently, local media reported, saying Mexican Marine troops had secured the scene.
Contacted by Reuters news agency, the Ministry of the Navy did not immediately respond to a request for comment. The Quintana Roo state prosecutors office said federal agents were investigating the cases. The federal attorney general’s office did not immediately respond to Reuters’ request for comment.
The Quintana Roo state port authority said on Feb. 21 that the initial signs were that a mechanical failure had caused the explosion in Playa del Carmen.
Local media reported up to 25 people had been hurt, but none of the injuries were life-threatening. Local media also reported that a drug gang had taken credit for the blast.
Barcos Caribe operates the ferry in Playa de Carmen and Cozumel, and is owned by the father of former Quintana Roo state Governor Roberto Borge, who is facing corruption charges, local media reported.
Borge, from Mexico’s ruling Institutional Revolutionary Party (PRI), was extradited in January from Panama to face charges of embezzlement and abuse of public office. Borge has denied the allegations.
Barcos Caribe did not immediately respond to Reuters’ email seeking comment.
The Mexican newspaper Reforma reported that the U.S. FBI is assisting Mexican authorities in the blast investigation.
Sources: Reuters news agency, El Universal, Reforma and local media
