Four Tourists Injured After Sinkhole Opens at Cozumel Resort

Four tourists were injured after a section of ground suddenly collapsed at a beachfront resort in Cozumel, Mexico, sending them into a large sinkhole near a swimming pool.

The incident occurred Thursday evening (Oct. 22) at the Occidental Cozumel hotel, located on the southern part of the island, as several guests were reportedly taking photos of a sunset.

According to Riviera Maya News, the ground gave way in a tiled area between the resort’s swimming pool and the beach, creating a hole several metres wide and at least two metres deep.

Four male tourists, all reportedly Mexican nationals, fell into the opening and sustained injuries. Two ambulances were dispatched to the property to transport the injured guests to hospital. The extent of their injuries has not been confirmed.

The collapse left a large crack extending several metres across the tiled surface, reportedly stretching from an outdoor shower area toward the swimming pool.

A concrete pillar supporting an outdoor shower was left partially suspended over the opening after the surrounding ground gave way.

Hotel employees have since cordoned off the affected area as a precaution to prevent guests from approaching the damaged section of the property.

It is not yet clear whether the incident has affected other areas of the resort or its operations.

Occidental Cozumel, part of the Barceló Hotel Group, is a 247-room, all-inclusive resort situated on the island’s southwestern coast, within Cozumel Reefs National Park.

The property is near some of Cozumel’s most renowned diving sites, including the Palancar and Colombia reefs.