Two drownings in a few days in the River Júcar have led the Sumacàrcer City Council to indefinitely close access to the L'Illa de l'Esgoletja recreational area. The decision comes after the death of a 21-year-old man on Wednesday, July 8, and another man on Sunday, July 12, in the same stretch of the river. With these two victims, the death toll in this area of the Júcar has now reached six people in the last five years.
The mayor, David Pons (PSPV-PSOE), has ordered the installation of fences and Local Police tape to prevent access to the site. The objective is to avoid new entries from the area managed by the council, although it is acknowledged that the river has other access points.
L'Esgoletja, despite being officially a recreational area, has been used by thousands of people for decades for swimming. The council regulated visitor numbers with a payment system: 2 euros per person on weekdays and 3 euros on weekends and holidays for those over 12 years old, while parking cost 10 euros per vehicle.
The Valencian Community Lifesaving and Rescue Federation has criticized that a space with paid access and recreational services lacks aquatic surveillance or lifeguards. The mayor has defended that it is not a river beach and, therefore, there is no obligation to provide this service, despite the strong warnings from firefighters about currents, whirlpools, and sudden changes in depth.
The closure of the site will remain in effect until further notice. The City Council has also announced an investment of 50,000 euros to install nine video surveillance cameras in the municipality to enhance public safety.
