British teen dies after tour boat explodes off Dominican Republic coast

British teenager Abigail Lainton, a popular cheerleader, died after a tour boat exploded while sailing back from Saona Island near Cotubanama National Park in the Dominican Republic. The over-packed cruiser, the Costa Romantica, began emitting smoke before the blast, which sent passengers flying from their seats. Lainton and ten other victims were rushed to a La Romana hospital, but she died three days later from septic shock linked to severe burns covering about 60% of her body.

Officials reported 24 injuries in total, and the cause remains under investigation, though the operator Go Paradise DR attributes it to a mechanical failure. The boat has been removed from booking platforms, and a GoFundMe campaign has raised most of its $40,000 goal to support her family.