Woman and baby are dead after boat capsizes near Statue of Liberty

U.S. newsWoman and baby are dead after boat capsizes near Statue of LibertyTwelve others were rescued from the water and taken to the hospital for minor injuries, New York City authorities said. Listen to this article with a free profile00:0000:00Add NBC News to GoogleWoman and Baby Die After Boat Capsized in New York Harbor01:12Get more newsLiveonShareAdd NBC News to GoogleAug. 9, 2026, 10:04 AM EDTBy Bella LoBue and Doha MadaniA woman and a 5-month-old baby died after a boat capsized near Liberty Island in the New York Harbor Saturday night.Neither the 27-year-old woman nor the infant were identified by officials. The New York City Police Department said both were taken to NYU Langone Health Brooklyn in critical condition and later pronounced dead at the hospital. Twelve other people were rescued and taken to area hospitals with minor injuries, according to the FDNY. Officials have not released details about the boat or its operator. The Coast Guard confirmed to NBC News on Sunday morning that the vessel was towed to shore and remains in police custody. Police said an investigation is ongoing, and no arrests have been made.Liberty Island, on the New Jersey side of the New York Harbor, is home to the Statue of Liberty, the iconic sculpture gifted to the United States by France as symbol of the alliance between the two nations. The statue has lived on the island since its dedication in 1886 by former president Grover Cleveland.The island is a popular tourist destination, drawing visitors who climb to Lady Liberty’s crown for sweeping harbor views. Others opt for boat tours to take in the statue from the water.ShareAdd NBC News to GoogleBella LoBueBella LoBue is a Assignment Editor at NBC News Digital.Doha MadaniI am a senior breaking news reporter for NBC News Digital, covering a range of news-of-the-day topics. My job is to report in a timely manner on crime, mass shootings, war coverage, domestic and international affairs, pop culture and more.Samantha Cookinham c...