Couple rescued after hours trapped in Yucatán cenote

Motul, Yucatán — A tourist couple remained for more than two hours in the deepest part of the caverns of the Sambulá cenote in Motul after failing to follow the site’s usage rules and using another entrance, the well entrance, to access the location.

The incident occurred around 11:00 a.m. on Sunday when they arrived to visit the Sambulá cenote and entered through the well but were unable to resurface.

Following the event, relatives and friends who had come with both individuals called the 9-1-1 emergency number to request help for their rescue.

After the report, an extensive search operation was conducted on Sunday morning by firefighters from the Yucatán Secretariat of Public Security and municipal authorities.

They ultimately succeeded in rescuing the individuals alive, who had remained at the bottom of the cenote for more than two hours, holding onto rocks.

Coordinated personnel from the Motul Municipal Police, State Police, SSP Yucatán Fire Department, and the Municipal Civil Protection Unit, which arrived with unit 103 to support rescue efforts, responded to the scene.

Who Are the Tourists Trapped in the Yucatán Cenote?

After more than two hours of specialized work, the emergency teams successfully rescued 39-year-old Víctor Hugo Parra Mendoza, who was at the bottom of the cenote, as well as 20-year-old María Fernanda Valenzuela Parra, both from the State of Mexico.

The operation concluded around 1:30 p.m., highlighting the rapid response, coordination, and professionalism of the participating agencies, which allowed for the safeguarding of the lives of those involved.

The authorities reiterated the call to visitors and tourists to respect safety measures and follow the established guidelines at cenotes to prevent accidents and ensure a safe experience.