Italian Tourist Dies After Falling Into Unmarked Road Pit

Mahahual, Quintana Roo — The seaside community of Mahahual is expressing outrage and demanding accountability from the Promotora Turística de Mahahual (PTM) and Royal Caribbean after the death of Italian citizen Davide Pozzi, 54, who suffered a fatal head injury caused by unsafe road conditions in the Las Casitas neighborhood.

Pozzi left his home on the evening of November 13 to pick up a pizza. With Avenida del Puerto closed for long-delayed reconstruction work, he took the alternative route along Avenida Caribe, a road locals say has been deteriorating for decades and lacks lighting, signage, and proper maintenance.

In the darkness, Pozzi drove his motorcycle into a deep, unmarked pit. Neighbors rushed to help and brought him to a local doctor, but Mahahual has no hospital facilities and only limited emergency care. The initial examination did not reveal the severity of his injuries, and Pozzi was advised to seek further medical evaluation the next day. He died overnight. A subsequent autopsy found traumatic brain injury caused by the fall.

Residents say Pozzi’s death was preventable and directly linked to negligence by PTM, owned by businessman Isaac Hamui, which they claim left the streets in disrepair for more than 20 years despite marketing the neighborhood as a private, fully serviced development. Reconstruction began only recently—one month ago—after Royal Caribbean International Group purchased the adjacent Puerto Costa Maya property to develop its upcoming attraction, Perfect Day México.

The works, however, have stalled. Residents say PTM subcontracted an unqualified company with inadequate equipment, leaving open trenches, standing water, mounds of construction debris, and no safety measures. They also accuse the developer of dumping removed material into nearby wetlands without environmental oversight from state agencies such as SEMA.

Local anger has escalated to the point of considering a blockade of port-bound trucks, though community leaders paused the action after state officials visited the area and requested calm.

Pozzi, known as a cheerful and well-liked member of the local Italian community, had lived in Mahahual part-time for several years. His body is currently held at the Chetumal Forensic Medical Service while his family in Italy arranges legal authorization for cremation and repatriation of his ashes. The Italian Embassy has been notified.

Residents insist that Pozzi’s death must be a turning point. They are demanding immediate action to complete the roadworks, restore lighting, and ensure proper oversight before Royal Caribbean’s development moves forward.

“It’s a tragedy that could have happened to anyone,” neighbors say. “Mahahual needs safe streets, accountability, and authorities who take these risks seriously.”