Costámbar: body of teen recovered in Puerto Plata

Civil Defense personnel recovered on Saturday morning the lifeless body of the 16-year-old boy who had been reported missing since Friday afternoon in the waters of Costámbar Beach, Puerto Plata. According to witness accounts, the teenager, described by relatives as a promising baseball prospect, was spending time in the maritime area with several friends and an instructor when he was swept away or lost in the water. The remains were located around 6:30 a.m., near where he was last seen, as reported by Dominican Today.

The body was subsequently turned over to the National Institute of Forensic Sciences (INACIF) for the corresponding legal procedures. Civil Defense confirmed that search efforts continued through the early morning hours until the discovery was made.

Costámbar, a beach heavily frequented by residents and visitors on the north coast, is once again in the spotlight over an incident in the water. The takeaway is clear: beach safety in the country deserves sustained investment in signage, surveillance and swimmer education. Puerto Plata welcomes more tourists and cruise passengers every season, and every visitor who leaves the water with a good story is an asset for the province. Tour operators and local authorities have a concrete opportunity here to strengthen protocols and turn the north coast into a benchmark for preventive management.