Civil defense members look for two people who remain missing off the coast of Ramlet al-Bayda, Beirut. (Credit: Civil Defense)
BEIRUT – The Marine Rescue Unit of the Lebanese Civil Defense continued their search on Sunday for two people who remain missing at Ramlet al-Bayda public beach, off the coast of Beirut, according to a statement posted by the Civil Defense on X.
The head of the Civil Defense Maritime Rescue Unit Samir Yazbeck told L'Orient Today on Saturday that five swimmers were swept away in strong waters — four of them as they sought to assist the first swimmer who had initially encountered difficulty returning to shore. Three of the five have been rescued so far, one of whom remains in a critical condition.
Yazbkeck said that environmental factors, such as high waves and wind, were significant factors. Turbulent water, amid spring's quick-changing weather, compounded by the seasonal increase in beach-goers, has caused several drowning incidents in recent weeks.
On Friday, a man's lifeless body was pulled from the sea off the coast of Sour, in southern Lebanon, and two other people were rescued alive and taken to hospital for medical treatment.
On April 19, two people drowned off the coast of Sour and another three were rescued.