Tragic Boating Accident in Miami Claims Lives of Two Young Girls. On July 28, 2025, a devastating boating accident in Biscayne Bay, Florida, took the lives of two young girls: 13-year-old Erin Victoria Ko Han, originally from Chile, and 7-year-old Mila Yankelevich, granddaughter of well-known Argentine producer Cris Morena.
A 60-foot barge struck a small 17-foot sailboat carrying five children and a 19-year-old instructor during a summer sailing camp. Both Erin and Mila drowned, and two other children remain in critical condition. Erin’s father, Pil Jye Ko, gave a heartbreaking interview to Local 10 News, remembering his daughter’s last words before the trip: “See you later, Daddy and Mommy.” Erin was the family’s only child.
She had recently moved with her parents from Chile to Miami in search of a better future. Erin attended Nautilus Middle School, was fluent in Korean, English, Spanish, and was learning Japanese. She was known for her kindness, intelligence, and active participation in sports like swimming and volleyball.
The video of her father’s emotional plea for justice went viral, with thousands expressing sorrow and support online. “She was everything to us,” he said, demanding answers about how such a tragedy could happen. He described the unbearable pain of finding Erin at the hospital without vital signs, with injuries to her head and limbs.
The Chilean Consulate in Miami and Erin’s former school in Santiago expressed condolences and support to the grieving families. Mila’s family also shared their deep sorrow, with her grandmother posting a tribute video of her just days before the accident.
Both families have asked for privacy as they mourn their daughters and try to cope with an unimaginable loss. “A terrible accident took Erin from us far too soon,” the Ko family said in a statement. “Our lives are forever changed.”
