San Juan – The Coast Guard suspended on Tuesday the search for a 21-year-old who disappeared two days ago following being swept away by the current on Los Tubos de Manatí beach.
Coast Guard and other local rescue units conducted a combined effort of six air and three surface searches.
The operation covered approximately 160 square nautical miles, but did not find Elías Espino Rosado, according to a statement.
“Suspending a search knowing that someone is still missing is one of the most difficult decisions,” lamented Lieutenant Alberto Martínez, coordinator of the mission.
Last Friday, the National Meteorological Service in San Juan issued a warning of strong marine currents, in force until yesterday, for the north coast of Puerto Rico and its islands, Vieques and Culebra.
These currents might cause waves between 8 and 11 feet high.
In the midst of this alert, a tourist of Asian origin was rescued on Sunday following being swept away by the currents on the beach of the La Concha hotel in the tourist area of Condado, in San Juan.
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