Authorities in Puerto Plata province have recovered the body of the 16-year old teenager who drowned in the ocean off Cabarete beach on Sunday, 7 January 2018.
The remains of Michael Mathis Polanco were found near a hotel. Apparently, strong waves and currents washed his body ashore.
Members of Civil defense, the Red Cross, Ambar Rescue and the Air Force base in Puerto Plata had been looking for Polanco since Sunday.
It appears that he had gone swimming in an area where bathing was prohibited due to the strong waves.
Cabarete Beach is internationally renowned for windsurfing and kiteboarding, but sections of the long beach can be dangerous for swimming due to the waves. Several times there have been calls for at least three lifeguard posts, to ensure the safety of those visiting the beach, but so far nothing has happened, even though there are more drownings on that beach compared to others in the area, as reported in the Listin Diario.
Read more in Spanish:
Listin Diario
10 January 2018
