Three Young Girls and Woman Drown
Another family vacation ends in tragedy. Yesterday, three young girls and a woman drowned while swimming in a "poza" - swimming hole - in the area of La Virgen de Sarapiquí. Last Sunday, a couple and an area hotel manager lost their lives in a similar accident while the couple was trying to save their two children and the hotel manager went in to help.

The three girls were aged 6, 8 and 9 and were taken in by the water while visiting the popular swimming hole. Witnesses say that María Adela Alvarez Penaranda, Fiorella's grandmother, 62 years of age, jumped into the swimming hole to save the three little girls but was overcome by the water as well.

The body of nine yearl Stephany Carmona has yet to be recovered as the family agonizes over the tradegy that occurred at 9:45 yesterday morning. The bodies of Marilyn Melissa Ulgade Gonzales and Fiorella Araya Obando were recovered. Melissa's body was found some 300 metres from the scene of the accident.

The poza known locally as "tía Rosita" is a favourite of the area, as many take in the cool waters to beat the heat. Olmán Mejías, president of the Cruz Roja (Red Cross) de Puerto Viejo (North Atlantic), says that the poza is a dangerous place for children. "It is deep and the undercurrent is fast", said Mejías.

Red Cross rescue workers will today continue their search for the missing young girl. Tour guides and residents of the area are expected to join in the search.

The number of drownings so far this year is 12.

January is a popular month for vacations as many Costa Rican families take advantage of visiting beaches and resorts before school starts in February.