A Venezuelan national died by drowning, at Castle Bruce on Sunday afternoon.
A source close to the Venezuelan Embassy has identified the dead man as 40 year-old Julio Araujo who’s been in Dominica since 2011 working on the Rosalie to Petite Soufriere link road which is being constructed.
According to eyewitness reports, Araujo, who resides at Castle Bruce, was having a Sunday afternoon swim at the Castle Bruce beach with some friends when a strong current pulled him away from the shore.
Those who witnessed the incident said before they could do anything to help, Araujo disappeared for about 20 minutes and by the time he re-appeared, it was too late to save him.
Those who knew him say the Venezuelan was a jovial and friendly person.
The Rosalie to Petite Soufriere road is being built with funding of US$2.5 million from the Venezuelan Government.
Dominica News Online will continue to seek an official police report on the incident and bring that information to you as it becomes available.
Am sorry my friend.it sad to heard my friend die.
That eternal was waiting for your arrival friend, hosting most cruel and painful. It breaks my heart to remember the early hours of Friday see you come and check it was you in that eternal sleep your friend venezuelans
siempre te recordaderemos k rido amigo mis condolencia a tu familia y amigos k te keremos mucho ….descansa en passs julio…k papa dios te llene de vendicios
People of Dominica Especially on the east coast,Hear this and take note;The Alantic Ocean creates serious “RIP TIDES”,this is a under current which pull everything away from the shores after the wave brakes.Dominica’s physical structure encourages lots of rip tide,because there is not much beach space for wave to brake to the end,that is why there is always this deep drop when waves brake, and the wave roll back out from under so if you not agood swimmer to swim paralle to the beach to fight the current, you will have serious difficulty.Signs should be posted of Rip Tides on all beaches on the island.So sad so many lives are being lost,just going for a little swim.R.I.P my man.
Extending condolences to his family and many friends.
Kudos to the four young men who risked their lives in the same current on a tube to go find the man. Applause to the young lady on sight who tried to assist. Brickback on the nurses who stood watching the four men from a distance and not moving to assist. If it was said that he was still breathing, what were the nurses doing? Talking on their cell phones!! They also still had the audacity to criticize the manner in which the man was brought in.
They may have a little late in saving him but they need to be commended for their efforts!
Condolences to the family and colleges
I am not surprise because i grew up in the village of Castle Bruce and i always know that this sea is a real bitch i don’t trust that sea at no given time.During the summer it could be as calm as can be but it will never catch me.That sea has the most dangerous currant spinning around all the time like a tornado just waiting to catch somebody at anytime.And there is a certain man in Castle Bruce am not calling no name when ever he is by the sea and this man trouble the water the big waves can reach as far as under the maho all the way in the river i sea this with my own two eyes while spending times with my loved ones.I tell u this is scary. SO PEOPLE BE CAREFUL AT ALL TIMES.
RIP
I knew Julio personally. He was a nice man, real friendly and spoke alot of his love for the Nature Isle. He loved nature, liked taking baths in rivers too. My condoleces to Pedro, Romero and the others who worked with him. May his soul rest in peace. Viva la amistad entre Venezuela y Dominica.
I knew Julio personally. He was a nice man, real friendly and spoke alot of his love for the Nature Isle. He loved nature, liked taking baths in rivers too. My condoleces to Pedro, Romero and the others who worked with him.
Those visitors are so hard headed and careless, love taking risks, they fail to realize how much pain and stress they put on people…after making an impact, the bond and friendship they form…loving them. then what next funerals?..such bullshit can be prevented…..if people are a little bit more fearful…..too sad….
I heard a very sad thing from a group of children who witnessed the unfortunate incident. Apparently, there was a pulse when he was pulled from the water, and his chest was pressed to expel water, but nobody would perform mouth to mouth resuscitation, for fear of catching something.
I really, really hope that is not true.
That is international standards actually, it is not recommended, for the same reason you said, to protect both parties. And do you think that he could have held his breath 20-30 minutes under water, or still be alive? Really?
it is true
I thought I left a comment here!! DNO did the usual?
my condolences to the family and friends of the young man. I do not know why anyone would go for a swim in the Atlantic waters, that area is always rough
Julio Enrique Araujo .. you are so missed.. Rest in Peace …
He sure is missed…Mi querido amigo. Sólo Dios sabe mejor. Mis condolencias a la familia, que siempre fue una persona divertida y siempre feliz. Te echaré de menos siempre. Julio ¿por qué tiene que morir ahora
Such Coincide, born in July, named July dies in July. SO so sad… Still cannot believe its Julio.
Oh Dear! Such bad news, just yesterday you were so happy and full of life. today you’re gone. You will be missed so much. Till we meet again amor.
He was such a nice man. Friendly and helpful. Rip julio and sympathy to the rest of the venezuelans and his family. Missed by the entire village of dixpa and tranto.
oh, boy am speechless and heartbroken. This man was so good to me and my daughter. My daughter was the last person he spoke to before he past away. they were in the water bathing together.My sincere sympathy to his friends and family and co workers.
My condolences to to the bereaved family of the deceased. If he is the one who always gave people a ride with a cheerful smile and spoke a little english its so sad that good people die young. May God bless his family and give them strength in this time of mourning. Will be missed by the Petite Soufriere community.
condolences to his friends and their families tradeshowcolombia sympathizes unfortunately come to know the beach at that moment I drew Presis and thoughtful one remains are frajil life and you can lose at any time before leaving us a country that not ours we ask blessings the Lord and we wrap her mantle of any tropieso or difficulty in distant lands and come home with victory wing and prosperity because we are aware that anything can happen
Alot of strange things have been happening along the East coast with people who have gone fishing on/off rocks that they fished off for years and suddenly disappearing and their bodies either not found or recovered days later in “funny” conditions and so on.No way does this writer imply foul play although that’s possible,but some strange phenomena in my view is occurring along that coast.According to eyewitness accounts “he suddenly disappeared for about 20 minutes and then reappeared” I assume within the same general area.After watching a documentary a few weeks ago about some”strange/unexplained things-(sightings)” I am left to wonder…True.it could be some strong,sudden current…..but,are we sure???????
I don’t know you but RIP cympathies to u family , govt, pips o Venezuela.
How Sad, my sincere condolence. I do agree some form of caution should be placed in that location. I remember as a boy I saw someone drowned in the same spot. this has left an indelible mark on me. I have never returned to the ocean in 40 plus years. I still dream of the incident. May some drastic steps be taken to inform persons prior to swimming in this area.
Condolences to the famiy and friends!
On a nother note – some of you guys are making senseless comments. I agree that signs should be posted…if the Government is failing to do its jobs, you as a community must do yours.
We can’t blame the government everytime soemone dies. the community is responsible, people are responsible. Come together and take care of your own. The government is just a small part of it.
Another issue i have is the comments regarding lifeguards. SHould lifeguards be stationed at every random bathing point, or bathing points which are frequently used, meaning where many people are? If this beach is not a well frequented and populated bathing point, then perhaps the villagers can act as lookouts for each other.
Lifeguards are not place everywhere someone bathes..they are placed when there are crowds of people who need to be monitored, just in case.
it’s not for five people. It may sound harsh- but it is the reality. Dominicans can play a bigger role in protecting the lives of uniformed swimmers. Educate them yourselves if you know about the dangers of the areas.
Condolences to the famiy and friends!
On a nother note – some of you guys are making senseless comments. I agree that signs should be posted…if the Government is failing to do its jobs, you as a community must do yours.
We can’t blame the government everytime soemone dies. the community is responsible, people are responsible. Come together and take care of your own. The government is just a small part of it.
Another issue i have is the comments regarding lifeguards. SHould lifeguards be stationed at every random bathing point, or bathing points which are frequently used, meaning where many people are? If this beach is not a well frequented and populated bathing point, then perhaps the villagers can act as lookouts for each other.
Lifeguards are not place everywhere someone bathes..they are placed when there are crowds of people who need to be monitored, just in case.
it’s not for five people. It may sound harsh- but the reality is… Dominicans can play a bigger role in protecting the lives of uniformed swimmers. Educate them yourselves if you know about the dangers of the areas.
but that road still under construction then……..
yes i!!!!
it look like it taking over a year to construct 1 mile of road!!!!!!!!!!!!! LOl
dat road look like it giving more problems dan de Pond Case’ to Melville Hall road wi boy!!!!!!!!
but how comes i doesnt see nothing about it in de news?????
STOP FOOLING DE PEOPLE DAT PROJECT NOT GOING ON………..DAT WAS TO FOOL DE PEOPLE ON DE SOUTH EAST TO VOTE FOR LABOR!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
you are a moron ignorant! get to work!
you are such a moron, and ignorant! you go work in that project and then give your opinion. If you have nothing to say about someone just died shut your mouth!
tu lo que eres es tremendo loco
Bey MY FRIEND like you alway seay I’m sure a lot of people will remember you ,was a good men I hope you are In a better place than we are , mi compadre todos tus amigos de Venezuela te recordaremos descansa en paz .
It is very sad to hear of this death at my local beach, especially during celebrations, when there were lots of children present. In fact, I was told of this accident by one of these children, who told me “we saw a man drown today”.
In fact, the last time I attended a party on the beach, I was surprised by the number of people wandering far into the waves – almost daring each other to go further. Local teenagers included.
Yes, of course signs should be put up to explain to people not familiar with some of the East Coast beaches that there are strong currents.
I would also love to see basic life saving skills taught to children in school. Not just for drowning, but for all kinds of accidents.
It may or not prevent a death in the future, but at least it would alleviate the helpless feeling of just watching someone die, and not being able to try and help.
Folks this is serious theres a strong current between the sea and the river,local residents drown at this place before the government or village council should place a warning sign for the public written in english,spanish,chinese,and also in janese to prevent more drowning.
A few people already drown in that river,the government should place a warning sign for the public special for strangers,theres a strong current between the river and thesea,If the government or the community refuse to do so more drowning will accure.
GOOD BYE IS THE SADDEST WORDS I HAVE TO SAY.GOOD BYE MY FRIEND.
I remembered that someone drowned in Castle Bruce in a pre election convention in 1985. I was small then but I guess this place still has strong currents.
Please let us pray for the family he left behind, and also for our country. This is sad, and painful.
MAY HIS SOUL REST IN PEACE, FROM ALL THE GOOD NEWS WE HAVE HEARD ABOUT THIS YOUNG MAN IN THE PRIME OF HIS LIFE.
MAY GOD CONTINUE TO WATCH OVER THE REST OF THE VENEZUELANS AS WE BOW OUR HEADS FOR A MOMENT OF SILENCE. I WILL MISS YOU MY FRIEND.
Please post safety bulletins around the beaches. People should have an idea of what to expect so they can better protect themselves.
So sad. My sympathy to his Family and Friends. Sad situation to hear from abroad that your love ones has past away.
they need to put up something on the cb beach it has taken to many lifes let people no bout this beach please to many has lot there life there this is so sad
What is the problem at that beach? Do you not think that if so many lives has lost that should have been a signal? Why do you think people still go to that beach? I understood that the current pulled him under.
Sad. may his soul rest in peace. condolences to his family and colleges
Hw sad sigh… he’s gonna be missed by the petite.soufriere people he was such a good man friendly and loving he was blessed he always made people smile he was one dat was love by many may his soul rest in peace he’s gone bt never will be forgotten. Hope he’s family take it easy and may god be wit dem #RIP
This is very sad. It appears to be a freak incident.
My sincere sympathy to his family and his co-workers. By no means least, the Venezuelan government.
May his soul rest in peace. Amen!
That is no freak accident. Everyone from Castle Bruce knows that there’s some type of current there. I left Castle Bruce 43 years ago and I have memories of people drowning in the river mouth. So, how is that a freak accident? There’s something there and visitors should be made aware of the danger!
u so right people need to no about this current we have lost way to many visitors on this beach
From what I read a wave came “on shore” and took the man out to sea. Does it not sound like a freak accident? Was the man in the sea bathing?
It appears to be a long time ago. We are now in the year 2013. Probably those drownings have long been forgotten.
In recent times when was the last time someone drowned in that area?
We hope this time the government will do something about it. The MP for that area should initiate it.
Gonna be missed by the petite soufriere people sigh he was such a. good and friendly person who makes u smile and was always sweet May his soul rest in peace.
He was a cool guy. Friendly, even if he wasn’t to well with the English. He will be missed by many
Dominica trying to spend so much time on tourism, but fail to put life guards and securities on the beaches. that’s a basic start.If its not a robbery its a drowning. come on minister of Tourism. DO SOMETHING !
Prior to making such a statement and spewing your criticism at the Minister of Tourism, you should put on your thinking cap if you have one. Can you respond to these questions?
Did anyone else drown in that area previously? Was it reported that this area is not safe to swim in?
Stupes….this is trash talk.
@ president. If you don’t have something sensible to say,why don’t you just keep your comments to yourself. People like you with your foolish talk make your country look bad. Sometime you all talk you ” care” so much about Dominica but in reality it’s obvious you don’t. Very sad indeed ! Gladly there are many “tourist” who will view your comment for what it is and continue to visit the beautiful nature island.
It is in sadness I also wish to question when will the authorities and all parties concerned recognize the need to inform bathers by displaying notices of the strong currents and the possible dangers of using this beach .
now this comes from one who once had to save anothers life at this very same beach .
this is not an absurd nor expensive request but it may just save a life .
you too damn hypocrite. its a fact . people have already drowned there. so what you suppose to wait for someone to drown at every beach before you put a life guard?. if we have to protect the tourism industry we have to put strategy in place. i am not spoiling the nature isle i am trying to protect it. i am not making it look bad , it is already bad. no is the time to try to get back on track.
I agree with you in part; failure to put lifeguards and security on our beaches increases the risk of loss of life and theft that could otherwise been avoided. However, remember accidents do happen (not of theft). The Minister of Tourism should have taken precautions to safeguard peoples lives and their property on our beaches. Yes, that time is past due.
when will people learn the Atlantic is not the best place for people to go swimming. sad news but if say if people can help not swimming in the Atlantic ocean, do that.
oh boi,
sympathy to the family
My condolences to his family and work team my his soul RIP
thats so sad