31.10.2026 23:50
The vacation in Nicaragua of 24-year-old French influencer Emma Marie Laurent, known for her passion for travel and social media posts, ended in death. The pickup truck she was in was swept away by rising river waters after heavy rains and overturned. In the disaster, two other women lost their lives along with Laurent, while the driver of the vehicle survived the accident.
French influencer Emma Marie Laurent, 24, who traveled the world and shared her travel experiences on her social media accounts, lost her life while on vacation in Nicaragua. In the accident that occurred when the pickup truck she was in was caught by a strong current and overturned, two more young women lost their lives along with Laurent. The driver of the vehicle survived the accident.
RAINS RAISED THE RIVER'S FLOW
The accident occurred on October 9 around 01:00 at night in the El Manzano settlement in Nicaragua's Chinandega region. French citizen Emma Marie Laurent, Swiss tourist Noë Lina Luscher (20), and Nicaraguan Karen Nahomi López Montano (19) tried to cross the Nahualapa River in a pickup truck.
Due to heavy rains affecting the region, the river's water level rose, and it was reported that the vehicle's driver, Mexican citizen Martin Gerardo García Girón, got out of the vehicle before crossing to check the water level. However, when the pickup reached the middle of the river, it was caught by the strong current and overturned. The three women in the vehicle lost their lives, while the driver managed to save himself by his own means.
“RIVERS ARE DECEPTIVE”
Nicaragua's Co-President Rosario Murillo, in a statement after the disaster, drew attention to the danger posed by river crossings.
Murillo said, “Rivers are deceptive. You think they are calm, but suddenly the current strengthens and such tragedies occur, plunging families into mourning.”
It was reported that authorities' investigation is ongoing to determine the exact cause of the accident.
HER LAST POST WAS FROM PORTUGAL
Known on social media by the phrase “your barefoot bff,” Emma Marie Laurent shared her travels and van life with her followers. It was stated that the young influencer, who had approximately 50 thousand followers on Instagram, made her last post from Portugal about a week before her death.
In her last post, Laurent shared her thoughts on the importance of noticing the beauty around you and appreciating the small moments of daily life. After news of her death became known, her followers left condolence messages under the young influencer's posts.