A 22-year-old man has drowned in one of Colombia’s most popular tourist reservoirs after allegedly being forced overboard from a party boat as onlookers shouted “drown him” — with not a single person jumping in to save him as the vessel continued along its route.
Alexander Avendaño Varela boarded a party boat at the Peñol-Guatapé Reservoir in Guatapé on 24 May for what should have been a celebration. What followed was captured on footage that has since spread widely across social media and prompted a criminal investigation.
The video shows an altercation breaking out on deck among a large group of young revellers, the cause of which remains unclear. Alexander, who is seen missing his trousers and trainers, appears cornered at the edge of the deck as the group surrounds him, pushing and shouting. A struggle at the railings lasts only seconds before he goes over the edge and plunges into the water. Visibly terrified and thrashing desperately, he is unable to stay afloat and disappears beneath the surface. Nobody on board jumps in to help. The boat continues on its way.
What makes the footage particularly harrowing is the audio. Some of those present can be heard warning that Alexander could not swim. Others can be heard shouting “drown him.” Originally from Medellín, he had no chance once he entered the water.
An extensive search and recovery operation was launched, involving at least 14 divers, according to NeedToKnow. Deep water and poor visibility severely hampered the search, and Alexander’s body was not retrieved until several days later. The Peñol-Guatapé Reservoir spans more than 2,262 hectares and reaches depths of up to 45 metres — among the deepest and most treacherous waters in the country, despite being one of Colombia’s most celebrated tourist destinations.
Authorities are now examining whether criminal charges can be brought against individuals seen or heard in the recording. Investigators are continuing to gather statements from those who were present on the boat. A further matter attracting scrutiny is safety compliance — none of those on board appeared to be wearing life jackets, despite mandatory regulations on tourist vessels. Swimming is strictly forbidden in the reservoir, which has claimed approximately 50 lives over the past decade.
