When you see a single red flag at the beach, the beach is not closed, but it’s a warning signal indicating hazardous swimming conditions. These conditions can include strong rip currents, rough waves, or other conditions that may pose a risk to swimmers.
Bottom line, the red flag at the beach means that the water is dangerous, there can be high surf and strong currents, or both and you should not swim.
Four tourists died on Friday, 17 January 2025 at the Playa Arena Gorda beach last week after disregarding the warning.
The corpses of Polish tourists Marcin Teodor Checinski, 47, and Sylwia Aleksandra, 52, of Polish nationality, Russian tourist Jakub Tomasz Pedziach and Portuguese Nelzon Nuñes Ribeiro, 67, were recovered from the sea by rescue crews. Three other tourists were rescued in time.
According to reports from the local authorities, the deceased were dragged by the abnormal waves of the Atlantic coastal area.
The tourists were staying at a Riu Hotels & Resorts property that had raised a red flag on the beach indicating the presence of strong currents and high waves.
RIU Hotels & Resorts expressed its solidarity with the affected families and said it is collaborating with the authorities in backing the families of the victims. The Bishop of Altagracia, Monsignor Jesus Castro Marte also expressed his sentiments to the families.
Reports are that following the tragedy, resorts that do not already have permanent lifeguards watching the beach, will be hired to enforce the no swimming recommendation.
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7 Dias
Listin Diario
Arecoa
22 January 2025