Playa del Carmen, Q.R. — A beach in the northern portion of the city of Playa del Carmen has been shut to swimmers due to a shark sighting. The Ministry of Civil Protection, along with city hall (the municipality of Solidaridad), have issued a public warning of the sighting and beach closure.
Personnel from Protección Civil are alerting residents to the presence of sharks off the beach of Xcalacoco. Along the beach, black flags have been placed, which prohibits sea entry to swimmers.
According to the agency, several sharks have been spotted off the beach of Xcalacoco. They say that black flags have been installed in the sand which “strictly prohibits entering the sea.” The species of shark seen has not been detailed.
However, Solidaridad City Council also released its own statement saying “Xcalacoco beach is under the black flag until further notice due to the sighting of sharks. We ask you to follow the indications, your safety comes first.”
The sightings were made Wednesday afternoon, which prompted authorities to remove swimmers from the sea and close the beach to swimmers until further notice. There was no indication as to how long the waters off Xcalacoco will be closed.
“We remind you that these specimens are in their habitat for which we urge you to follow the recommendations of authorities,” said Civil Protection coordination.