British teenager dies following tourist boat explosion in the Dominican Republic

A 16-year-old British girl, identified as Abby Layton, has died following a catastrophic explosion aboard a tourist boat in the Dominican Republic. The incident occurred on July 27, 2026, while the vessel was transporting tourists back to the Bayahibe resort after an excursion. Layton, a cheerleading coach on a family holiday, sustained severe burns in the blast and succumbed to her injuries in the hospital on July 30, 2026.

Witnesses reported significant safety concerns regarding the vessel prior to the explosion, noting that the boat appeared to be overcrowded and smelled strongly of gasoline. In addition to the victim, at least 24 other people were reported injured, including passengers Gisel Segovia, 22, and her 35-year-old husband, Navin Torres, who were celebrating a birthday at the time. Authorities have launched an investigation into the circumstances of the explosion to determine the cause of the fire and assess potential negligence regarding the operation of the vessel.