Cancun, Q.R. — After two drownings in one day, the City Council of Benito Juárez (Cancun) has reinforced the presence of lifeguards. The City says that due to the great number of tourists, 23 lifeguards have been assigned to their 11 public beaches.
These beaches will have on duty lifeguards from 10:00 a.m. until 6:00 p.m. during the remainder of Easter. The City says that the lifeguards are placed in coordination with the General Directorate of Civil Protection and the Cancun Fire Department who will also help monitor those beaches.
The City of Cancun is reminding beachgoers to follow instructions given by lifeguards and to abide by the flags posted in the sand (green flag means it is okay to swim safely, yellow means swim with caution and red, do not swim). The City says minding the colored flags will help reduce holiday accidents.
Swimmers to Cancun beaches are suggested to avoid the consumption of alcohol before entering the water for any aquatic activities. The City also says it is prohibited to bring pets and scooters to the sand areas, and that camping and making bonfires is also not allowed.
On Thursday, two people drowned off Cancun beaches in the same day. The first drowning was that of a 22-year-old local from Cancun who died at San Miguelito while swimming with two others in an unsupervised area.
Less than four hours later, a second person was pronounced dead by drowning on Playa Delfines. That person was reported to be a tourist from Monterrey.