SAN DIEGO (Border Report) — Along the Tijuana coastline, 18 to 20 beaches have been labeled as “dangerous” due to rip tides and strong currents according to Juan Hernández Liñán, head of aquatic rescues division with Tijuana’s Fire Department.
All of these “dangerous beaches” are within a 3-mile stretch that runs south from the border barrier.
“Rip currents form in the surf, the depth of the sand also varies which creates a lot of variation in the water,” said Hernández Liñán. “Currents can be as strong as a river and can drag more than one person at a time making it very dangerous for swimmers.”
He said lifeguards are constantly monitoring these areas to prevent swimmers from going in the water.
“Rescues have gone up in recent years, but it’s due in part to migrants who are trying to cross the border, especially in the area at the border with the United States.”
So far this year, one person has drowned after getting caught in the strong currents.
Another issue in the ocean just off Tijuana is the contamination in the water.
This has led health officials to shut down seven beaches, making them off-limits to visitors.
Recent studies revealed high levels of bacteria from raw sewage that routinely flows into the ocean from a nearby broken-down treatment plant.
The city says it’s in the process of posting warning signs in the beaches that are closed and will remain up in the foreseeable future.
The public is asked to stay out of the water and the sand, which is also polluted.
Exposure has been known to lead to serious health risks including gastrointestinal infections.
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