All three missing bodies in Puerto Plata recovered

Puerto Plata.- Civil Defense divers successfully recovered the bodies of three individuals who went missing on Sunday in the waters of Marapicá or El Bronx beach in Puerto Plata province.

Juan Salas, the executive director of the Civil Defense, reported that the first body was retrieved at approximately 7:05 AM, followed by the second two hours later. The third body was recovered later in the day, despite challenges posed by strong waves.

According to reports from the provincial Civil Defense director in Puerto Plata, the search team tirelessly combed the area for Brianny Díaz, a 29-year-old volunteer of the institution, Anderson González Tejada, a 17-year-old from La Otra Banda sector in Santiago, and José Alberto Chevalier, also 29 years old.

The incident occurred shortly before noon on Easter Sunday, when one of the victims ventured into an unauthorized swimming spot and encountered difficulties due to the waves. Another individual attempted a rescue but was also swept away. Despite efforts by the Civil Defense volunteer to assist, he too succumbed to the powerful currents.

The search and recovery operation involved units from the Dominican Navy, local firefighters, the Air Force SAR team, the Clean Ocean Foundation, Ámbar-Escorpión rescue, and the Puerto Plata Red Cross.

The recovered bodies were transferred to the National Institute of Forensic Sciences (INACIF) for further procedures.