Man arrested after boat capsizes near Statue of Liberty, killing woman and baby

A 46-year-old man has been arrested and charged with reckless endangerment after a boat overturned near the Statue of Liberty in New York Harbour, killing a woman and a five-month-old baby.

New York police said a major search and rescue operation was launched after the boat capsized near Liberty Island at about 22:25 local time on Saturday.

Twelve people were initially rescued from the water and were reported to be in stable condition.

Police divers later recovered a 27-year-old woman and the five-month-old girl. Both were taken to a nearby hospital, where they were pronounced dead.

Police have not released the identities of the victims or determined the exact cause of the incident.

A nearby tour operator, Sea the City, spotted the overturned vessel and helped rescue 11 people from the water, according to the company’s founder, Adam Schwartz.

The rescue operation involved two US Coast Guard boats, four New York Fire Department boats, two police boats and a police helicopter.

The boat’s operator, a Manhattan resident, faces 13 counts of reckless endangerment, police said.

Coast Guard investigators are also examining whether the vessel was operating as an illegal charter. Such operations involve carrying passengers for hire without the required credentials, safety equipment or certificate of inspection.

Capt Doreen McCarthy of the US Coast Guard praised the emergency responders and members of the public who helped rescue those in the water.

“We are extremely grateful for the heroic, swift actions of our partner agencies and Good Samaritan vessel who assisted in rescuing survivors from the water,” she said.

The investigation remains ongoing.