Agencies called to task force meeting at Capitol amid historic surge in drowning deaths

Rep. José “Che” Pérez Cordero

By THE STAR STAFF

Given the historic figure of 21 people who have drowned so far in 2025, House Judiciary Committee Chairman José “Che” Pérez Cordero called for a task force meeting with the Department of Natural and Environmental Resources, the Tourism Company, the Mayors Federation and Mayors associations, the Inns and Small Hotels Association, the Hotels and Tourism Association, as well as several non-profit organizations, to seek alternatives for reducing the risk for swimmers.

The meeting will be held early this week at the Capitol and aims to develop legislation that will make waterways safer.

According to the most recent data from the Institute of Forensic Sciences, so far this year, 10 people have died on beaches, nine in rivers or ponds, and two in private pools.

“The statistics from the Institute of Forensic Sciences, which show that 21 people have died from drowning between January 1 and August 25, highlight the need for a joint effort to identify mechanisms to prevent this type of death on our beaches and bodies of water,” Pérez Cordero said. “Likewise, we need to do something about the swimming pools, where two minors have drowned.”

“We are looking for real solutions to this problem,” he added. “Everything will be evaluated, from lifeguards to the implementation of technological tools. We will study filed bills and possible new legislation. We will exchange ideas and concepts with the aim of coming up with a joint vision of what we will do about this issue.”

The New Progressive Party legislator also announced that he will be filing a resolution to investigate the causes of the increase in drownings.

Pérez Cordero is the author of House Bill 691, which requires the installation of an alarmed security fence on every residential property with a swimming pool where a child under six years of age sleeps.

The bill also mandates the Institute of Forensic Sciences to develop an intervention protocol in cases where a child under six years of age dies from apparent drowning in a swimming pool.