Saudi Gazette report JEDDAH — The number of victims of drowning is on the rise, especially during holiday seasons. According to various sources, the main reason for this is the absence of warning signs on the beaches. The Border Guard argues that warning signs are installed all over dangerous zones warning people not to swim in those areas. Last month, five people drowned in Jeddah as a current swept them away while they were in the waters in a no-swimming zone. The victims were identified as a 53-year-old-man, his 19-year-old fiancé and her three siblings aged 11, 12 and 13. Police said it was clear that the family had ignored posted signs warning of the dangerous waters. The Border Guard rushed to the location with experienced divers who were able to recover the bodies of the victims. More than 30 divers participated in the operation. Last week, three Saudi college students drowned while they were swimming off the coast of Al-Leeth, 180 kilometers south of Jeddah. The victims, all girls, were picnicking with their family when they went in for a swim in a no-swimming zone. The first victim was swept away by a current. Two of the victim's sisters rushed to her aid but they too were swept away by the current. More recently, four others drowned off a beach in Yanbu creating a buzz on social media sites with people looking for reasons behind these cases. While many believe that the absence of warning signs is a major cause, others blame families because in their quest for total privacy they select isolated places where the waters are often dangerous for less experienced swimmers. Others believe that the coast guards do not respond immediately to SOS calls and some are not even qualified to deal with emergency cases. “On one hand there are no swimming areas for women at the beach and on the other hand families tend to go for privacy regardless of danger warnings," said a Facebook comment.
