Abigail Lainton, a 16-year-old cheerleader from the UK, has died following a devastating tour boat explosion in the Dominican Republic. The teenager, who was on a family vacation, succumbed to her injuries in a local hospital, just three days after the vessel caught fire and exploded near the coast.
As reported by the NY Post, this incident occurred while the boat was returning from a trip to the popular island of Saona. The boat, identified as the Costa Romantica, was reportedly carrying approximately 35 people at the time of the incident. The situation reportedly began with smoke billowing from the vessel before a sudden explosion occurred near Cotubanama National Park.
Passengers who were on board the boat have described a chaotic scene that unfolded in mere seconds. Gisell Segovia and her husband, Navin Torres, were among the tourists on the trip. According to Torres, “The front of the boat exploded. It took me a couple of seconds to analyze what was going on [when] the fire started spreading toward me and my wife.”
The boat was reportedly overpacked
Segovia also recalled the intensity of the moment, noting, “All I remember was like hearing a pop noise. And then the people sitting on the left side of the boat, they flew off their seats, including the benches that they were sitting on.” The aftermath of the explosion left 24 people injured. Among those hurt were Abbie’s two siblings, though there have been no specific updates regarding their current health status.
Abbie herself reportedly suffered severe first- and second-degree burns across 60% of her body. She was transported to a hospital in La Romana, where she fought for her life for three days. An inquest hearing held later confirmed that her death was caused by septic shock resulting from septicemia, which was a complication of pulmonary edema.
The boat-trip organizer, Go Paradise DR, has addressed the incident, stating that the explosion “was declared by the authorities to be an accident caused by a mechanical failure.” The company also noted that the Costa Romantica has been removed from all booking platforms following the disaster.
A local official described the event, saying, “It was an accident at sea and was very tragic.” Despite these statements, passengers have raised serious concerns about the condition of the vessel prior to the explosion. Both Segovia and Torres claimed that the boat was overpacked and that the air smelled strongly of gasoline before the blast occurred.
The community has rallied around the Lainton family during this time. A GoFundMe page has been established to provide financial support for the family, and it has already reached nearly 88% of its £30,000 goal. The fundraiser highlights the loss of a vibrant young person, stating, “Abbie had her whole life ahead of her. She should have been enjoying the summer with her friends.” It further describes her as someone who was “so loved by her family, friends and everyone who knew her.”
Published: Sep 1, 2026 05:30 am