Seaplane Crash Off Mauritius Claims Life of 25-Year-Old Polish Tourist

A 25-year-old Polish tourist died and the pilot was seriously injured when a seaplane crashed into the sea off the coast of Mauritius on Tuesday afternoon.

Crash off the Coast of La Prairie

The tragic incident occurred on Tuesday, August 4, just after 4:00 PM off the coast of the La Prairie lagoon, near La Passe Saint-Jacques. Local media report that there were two people on board: the pilot, a 28-year-old Indian citizen living in Beau-Bassin, and the passenger, 25-year-old Pole Dominik Potępski.

He arrived on vacation to Mauritius with his mother, staying for a week at the Ambre hotel in Belle-Mare bay. According to the Mauritian portal Le Défi, the Pole booked a seaplane flight from the Bel-Ombre resort for his birthday to see the lagoon of Mauritius from above, including the famous underwater waterfall off the coast of Le Morne, using the services of Born to Fly.

Rescue Operations and Recovery of the Body

For yet unexplained reasons, the plane crashed into the sea and settled on a coral reef off the coast of La Prairie. Le Défi reports that employees of the company operating the seaplane reacted quickly and swam by boat to the crash site, accompanied by police from Bel-Ombre and the National Coast Guard, who found the body of the 25-year-old Pole.

Only the Indian pilot survived the crash with serious injuries and was brought ashore to receive medical assistance before being transported to a private clinic, as reported by Le Mauricien. The body of the Polish tourist was transported to the shore by the company’s boat, and an autopsy was performed Tuesday evening at Victoria Hospital in Candos, according to Le Défi.

Investigation and Seaplane Operations

Police have launched an investigation into the matter, and the waterlogged hydroplane will be examined by experts. Seaplanes are capable of taking off from water surfaces using floats attached beneath the hull, gradually increasing engine power as the floats glide across the water to generate sufficient lift.

Rough water can cause severe impacts during contact, and underwater obstacles such as reefs pose significant hazards. The investigation will determine whether obstacles, sea conditions, or other factors contributed to the tragedy. Seaplane flights are a popular attraction in Mauritius utilizing small, two-person hydroplanes, with 15-minute rides starting at 159 euros.