Dangerous situation in Łeba as six people, including five children, began to drown. “Campers with their guardian are drowning in the sea at an unattended beach, 100 m from the shore,” reports the Volunteer Water Rescue Service (WOPR). What do we know about the incident?
Just Steps From Tragedy. Six people are drowning in the sea.
The incident occurred on Monday, August 18 at 15:45 in Łeba. The Volunteer Water Rescue Service (WOPR) observed six people in distress. Five of them were participants in a summer camp aged 11–13. The children were in the water at an unattended beach, 100 meters from the shore and 300 meters from the nearest marked swimming area. WOPR called for assistance and immediately began rescue operations.
Rescue Operations. The camp leader and supervisor were taken into police custody
The rescuers were able to save all six individuals, who were conscious and had functioning vital signs. “During the provision of qualified first aid, it was decided that medical rescue teams were needed for two of the children,” reports WOPR. One girl was transported to the hospital. Both the supervisor and the camp director were handed over to the police. “We are aware that since the greatest tragedy in the history of children vacationing by the sea, these kids were saved by a miracle – the presence of a patrol of water rescuers at an unattended beach. They were in the right place at the right time,” says WOPR.
Difficult Conditions and Red Flags
WOPR emphasizes that on Monday morning, all beaches were flown a red flag indicating a ban on swimming. High waves and very strong back currents presented real danger and threat to life in the water. “Unattended beaches are patrolled by rescue teams on water scooters, quads, and foot patrols. Rescuers do everything they can to ensure the safety of not only people at marked beaches, but also those who, ignoring safety rules, enter the water at unattended beaches,” notes WOPR.
