A teenage tourist is presumed drowned after he disappeared Thursday evening at Playa San Agustinillo, located 68 kilometers east of Puerto Escondido.
Early reports indicate that around 5:20 p.m., 17-year-old Valiant Hugh Niel Ponce, from Australia, waded into the ocean.
His parents later said that the young swimmer was apparently surprised by a strong rip current which dragged him farther away from the shore, until he disappeared.
The lifeguard corps from Zipolite Beach were the closest aid available, arriving at the beach around 5:35 p.m. An initial search for the teenager was unsuccessful.
The search carried out by the lifeguards, along with local fishermen and tourist service providers, was suspended after dusk, with plans to resume early Friday morning.
With reports by El Imparcial, ORO Noticias
