In Coronel Guarantee Court, Biobío prosecutors formalized Roberto Mansilla, Luis Macaya, and Jaime Sandoval, crew of the Cobra ship, for culpable homicide in the collision that sank the Bruma boat and killed seven fishermen on March 30, 2025. Blumar S.A. was also charged for failures in its crime prevention model. The hearing continues on Thursday.
On Wednesday, March 18, 2026, at 9:00 a.m., the formalization hearing for the Bruma case began in Coronel Guarantee Court. Regional prosecutor Marcela Cartagena and prosecutor Hugo Cuevas presented evidence against Captain Roberto Mansilla, officer Luis Macaya, and watchman Jaime Sandoval of the 64.7-meter trawler Cobra for culpable homicide. On March 30, 2025, at 03:08 a.m., northeast of Santa María Island, Cobra collided with the 14.7-meter Bruma boat, which was anchored with a visible light under favorable weather, killing José Luis Medel Sepúlveda, Jonathan Daniel Torres Saldaña, José Luis Medel González, Juan Jorge Muñoz Valladares, José Fernando Carrasco González, Julio Eduardo Gallardo Díaz, and Carlos Hugo Escárate Ramírez. Prosecutors showed GPS data, reconstructions, statements, and Cobra's camera video depicting Bruma's light approaching before impact. After the crash, the accused heard a noise blamed on doors, slowed 700 meters later briefly, and did not check the deck; internal recordings are missing due to a defect. Cartagena stated: “The three accused neglected their duties, omitting precautions required by maritime law.” Blumar S.A. was formalized for not including collision risk in its crime prevention matrix. Defense lawyer Alejandro Espinoza argued: “This is an accident, with no intent or negligence.” Prosecutors requested nighttime house arrest, biweekly signature, and national arraignment.
