Woman and baby die when boat capsizes near Statue of Liberty

A tragic accident near New York's iconic Statue of Liberty resulted in the deaths of a woman and an infant when their boat capsized Saturday night. The U.S. Coast Guard reported the incident on Sunday, confirming the fatalities.

The woman, 27, and the five-month-old baby were rushed to a Brooklyn hospital in critical condition but later succumbed to their injuries. The captain of the vessel, identified as 46-year-old Manuel Hernández, was taken into custody and faces charges of reckless endangerment, according to authorities.

Approximately a dozen other individuals were rescued from the water following the boat's capsizing. They were transported to local hospitals, all sustaining minor injuries. Details regarding the specific type of vessel or the circumstances leading to the capsize have not yet been released by officials.

The Statue of Liberty, a gift from France to the United States in 1886 symbolizing their alliance, is situated on Liberty Island in New York Harbor and is a major tourist destination. The accident occurred in the waters surrounding this historic landmark.