Mexico: Terrorism Ruled Out of Ferry Blast

Terrorism and organized crime have been ruled out of February's Playa del Carmen ferry blast, in Mexico, which caused over two dozen people to be hurt.

RELATED: 
Mexico: 2nd Ferry Found With Explosive Device, US Warns Staff

The attorney general’s office, on Sunday, said the explosion at the dock resulted from a homemade device, but gave no further details regarding the incident. Multiple leads are being investigated, according to reports.

“The responsibility of terrorist organizations or organized crime has been ruled out,” acting Attorney General Alberto Elias Beltran said at a news conference. He added that the bomb "had a very limited capacity" and "was not intended to do major damage."

The attorney general's office compared the similarities of the device to that used in another incident.

"As a result of the investigations, it can be concluded that the remnants of the explosive artifact (in the Feb. 21 incident) show similarity to the one discovered days earlier, and it is clear that it was a rudimentary or homemade artifact."

On March 2, another object said to be a possible bomb was found attached to the underside of a ferry, that was not in operation, belonging to the same company.

Several tourists from the United States were among the 25 people who sustained injuries, prompting the embassy to issue a travel warning.

The Mexican federal police announced that they will increase its security presence in Quintana Roo where popular vacation spot Cancun is located. “Reservations have not been canceled, and the beaches are open, without incident,” federal police chief, Manelich Castilla, said.

About 60 police officers and sniffer dogs have been deployed to guard the docks and ferries between Playa del Carmen and Cozumel. Castilla said 900 federal agents have been sent to patrol highways, airports and tourist facilities.

The ferry was operated by Barcos Caribe, which is owned by the family of former Quintana Roo Governor Roberto Borge, local media reported.

Borge was extradited from Panama to Mexico in January and has been jailed on corruption charges.