An influencer spent 20 terrifying hours drifting at sea after a rented jet ski ran out of fuel and left her stranded in the Caribbean.
Luciana Dangond Farah and her friend Gerónimo Ibarra Cavalli were forced to abandon the watercraft before battling strong currents through the night.
The social media star, who has almost 40,000 followers across TikTok and Instagram, was eventually rescued following a major air and sea search operation, as reported by Need To Know.
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The ordeal unfolded off Isla de Barú near Cartagena, Colombia, where the pair had hired a jet ski for a day on the water, according to Need To Know.
Luciana said an alarm sounded shortly after they set off.
Gerónimo questioned the rental operator, who reportedly assured them there was enough fuel to continue.
But the jet ski ran dry within minutes.
The pair initially stayed with the vessel before deciding to swim towards shore.
They spent around six hours battling powerful currents but were unable to make any progress.
As darkness fell, they spotted helicopters, drones and search boats looking for them but were unable to attract attention.
Cold, exhausted and fearing for their lives, they tied their life jackets together and crossed their legs to help fend off hypothermia.
They also used the buoyancy aids as makeshift pillows while floating in the sea.
With neither carrying a phone nor a watch, they lost all sense of time.
Luciana, from Montería, later described the experience as “horrible” and revealed she suffered anxiety attacks during the night.
She told local media: “I was only thinking about my parents and my family.”
Luciana said the near-death experience had strengthened her faith and changed her perspective on life.
By the following morning, the current had carried the pair close to the Rosario Islands.
They continued swimming until they were finally spotted and rescued at around 10.30am on June 29.
Both were taken for medical examinations and are understood to be out of danger.
Colombian authorities praised the joint rescue effort involving the Navy, police, local fishermen and residents.
President-elect Abelardo de la Espriella described the survival story as a “true miracle”.
Officials have since reminded water users to check vessel conditions, monitor weather forecasts, inform operators of planned routes and always use appropriate safety equipment.
Luciana, whose father is a political campaign chief, also urged people to take greater precautions when taking part in similar activities.
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