Local authorities warn public of the dangers of swimming in canals
The Imperial County Sheriff’s Office said the body discovered last week at the All-American Canal was that of a migrant who illegally crossed the border.
Some of the migrants trying to get into the United States are using canals to swim over. But local authorities said they’re underestimating the currents.
And some are dying as a result.
According to the Imperial County Sheriff’s Office, migrants using canals to cross over is common.
“That’s just part of what we see here in our border communities. And I’m sure most border communities experience the same. So it is a pattern,” said Lt. Jimmy Duran.
Agents said those who try to cross the canals rarely make it out alive.
Duran added , “A lot of people do end up dying in the canals. So we’d definitely caution individuals who are attempting or even thinking of doing so to do that.”
The Imperial Irrigation District placed signs around the canal warning illegal immigrants how unpredictable and dangerous the water can be.
“Your IID has done a lot over time to try and let the public know how dangerous the waters are,” said IID Communications Specialist, Bob Schettler.
According to IID, six people have already drowned in the canal this year alone.
Schettler said, “Sometimes people are able to get out. And as we seen in this incident, somebody wasn’t able to. And like I said that water is moving very fast underneath the surface. And it’s tragic that anybody would get in the water. So the best thing to do is just to stay away.”
The identity of the body is still under investigation.
