A foreign tourist has died, and numerous warning calls and rescues have been carried out as a result of the strong swell affecting the beaches of Puerto Escondido, a tourist destination on the Oaxaca coast.
In some cases, the waves have reached five meters in height.
In an interview with MILENIO, Godofredo Vásquez, coordinator of the lifeguard group in Puerto Escondido, mentioned that restrictive measures have been implemented this week on Zicatela, Punta Zicatela, and the main bay beaches due to the strong waves caused by the swell.
He explained that even with red flags posted along the beach, the number of preventative and rescue operations has increased.
“Every day we try to prevent rescues by issuing warnings, but even so, rescues are a daily occurrence, one or two a day, providing first aid. Since it’s a somewhat rough beach, we mainly have first aid rescues at Punta Zicatela beach,” he said.
Godofredo Vásquez indicated that so far this year, two tourists have died in the tourist destination of Puerto Escondido due to strong waves.
The most recent case occurred last Wednesday at Zicatela Beach, where a 29-year-old American tourist was struck by a wave that slammed him onto the sandbar, leaving him unconscious in the open sea.
Following the incident, paramedics arrived at the scene and performed CPR, but despite their efforts, the man showed no vital signs.
Given the presence of strong currents along the coastline, Civil Protection authorities urge beachgoers to avoid walking on the beach, swimming in the sea, and participating in water sports and activities, and to heed the recommendations of lifeguards.
Source: milenio
