The summer season has commenced in tragedy along the Bejaia coastline, where five individuals have already lost their lives to drowning, according to the Civil Protection authorities. Despite the surveillance networks deployed across authorized beaches, multiple fatal incidents have been recorded due to the disregard of safety protocols and swimming in prohibited zones or turbulent waters.
On Friday, two teenagers aged 16 and 18, originally from the province of Bordj Bou Arreridj, defied the red warning flag at Oued Tavelout beach in Aokas. Swept away by rough seas, they failed to resurface. Despite a violent swell preventing the deployment of rigid-hulled inflatable boats, the Civil Protection mobilized two divers and an ambulance to spearhead the rescue operations. Fortunately, another youth was pulled from the water in the nick of time, escaping certain death, as detailed by Captain Latifa Medjber, communications officer for the Bejaia provincial Civil Protection.
Search operations continued on Saturday with divers working to locate the bodies of the two victims.
Just last Sunday around 11:00 AM, two 19-year-old youths from Sidi-Aich went missing at the unmonitored Oued-Das beach in the municipality of Toudja. A substantial emergency response team, including six professional divers, two rigid-hulled inflatable boats, and numerous personnel, was deployed to the scene. Following several hours of searching, the bodies of both victims were recovered and transferred to the morgue at the Bejaia hospital.
These fatalities add to an initial tragedy that occurred on June 3 at Cap Sigli beach, where a 24-year-old man from Akbou lost his life. This particularly lethal start to the season highlights the absolute necessity of adhering to safety guidelines, avoiding unpatrolled areas, and refraining from swimming when sea conditions are rough.
To cover the 35 beaches authorized for swimming throughout the four-month summer season stretching from June to September, the Civil Protection has deployed substantial resources, including 824 lifeguards, 68 station chiefs, 12 professional divers, and several coordination officers. Despite these extensive measures, the vigilance of vacationers remains the primary defense against danger.