The press has reported the drowning of three Italian tourists last week, Roberto Bonibieri, 27, Alexandro Molincoeico, 34, and Fausto Tognassi, also 34 at El Valle in the province of Samana. The beach is rarely frequented by Dominicans as it is considered very dangerous due to the strong surf and on several occasions the Civil Defense have stopped access by the public. It appears that an undertow dragged the victims into a cavern, where they drowned. The body of Fausto Tognassi had still not been recovered at press time.