Several Surfers Are Found Dead in the Netherlands

Several Surfers Are Found Dead in the Netherlands

https://www.nytimes.com/2020/05/12/world/europe/surfers-netherlands-dead.html?algo=top_conversion&fellback=false&imp_id=969099208&imp_id=756200664

At least five bodies were found or seen in the foamy waters off the beach resort of Scheveningen, a district of The Hague.


By Elian Peltier

May 12, 2020

Five surfers drowned off the coast of the Dutch beach resort of Scheveningen after they were caught in strong winds and foamy waters, the local authorities said on Tuesday.

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The Dutch Coast Guard started a search operation on Monday after six surfers went missing. The rescue efforts were complicated by strong winds and a rough sea, the service said on Twitter.Credit...Sem Van Der Wal/Agence France-Presse — Getty Images


Rescuers from the Dutch Coast Guard began a search operation shortly after six surfers went missing Monday evening. Three people were rescued, two of whom were later pronounced dead. Two further bodies were found Tuesday morning, and one more was seen floating out to sea. The Coast Guard ended its search in the early afternoon and said it had not found that last person, taking the toll to five.

The deaths shocked the surfing community in the Netherlands and locals in Scheveningen, a district of The Hague about 30 miles southwest of Amsterdam. “When a group of people went surfing early in the evening, no one expected that some would not come home,” Johan Remkes, mayor of The Hague, said in a statement.

The rescue operation was complicated by strong winds and a rough sea, the Dutch Coast Guard said on Twitter. “There are still water sports enthusiasts active in the vicinity of our search area,” the service wrote Monday evening. “We call on them to leave this area as soon as possible.”

Other European countries have severely restricted outdoor activities during the coronavirus pandemic, but the Netherlands has taken a more relaxed approach, only asking people to stay at home as much as possible and to respect social distancing practices when outside. Many beaches are closed, but surfing has been allowed as long as surfers respect 1.5-meter distances according to the Holland Surfing Association.

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A sign at the beach by a pile of surf boards washed in:

Please check if 1 of these boards is yours! https://t.co/FQM7hluRJi
— City of The Hague (@CityOfTheHague) May 12, 2020