British Man Drowns on Cartagena Beach During Honeymoon

A 30-year-old British man drowned in rough seas off a popular beach in Cartagena, Colombia, during what was meant to be a celebratory trip with his new wife and friends. James Winkles, from the Isle of Wight, was pronounced dead at the scene on Sunday morning, March 22, after emergency responders failed to revive him.

The incident unfolded around 7 a.m. local time in the El Laguito neighborhood, a tourist-frequented peninsula known for its waterfront resorts and residential areas. Winkles had been in Cartagena for 12 days, staying at a luxury hotel to mark his recent wedding. Local reports indicate he entered the water despite adverse conditions, including strong winds and waves, and quickly encountered difficulties. His body was discovered floating face down near the shoreline shortly after the alarm was raised.

Emergency services arrived promptly and attempted resuscitation, but Winkles was declared dead on El Laguito Beach. His body was transported to a forensic medicine institute in the city for a postmortem examination. Authorities have classified the death as accidental, though an investigation continues to review the exact circumstances, including weather patterns at the time.