Spanish
Santiago. - The body of a young man who had been missing since Sunday was recovered this Tuesday in the waters of the Francisco Espaillat irrigation canal, in the municipal district Santiago Oeste, in an event that has the community in shock.
The victim was identified as Joel Esmerlin Abreu, 23 years old, whose body was found by residents of the area, who, along with members of the Civil Defense, managed to remove him from the canal.
His relatives had reported his disappearance last weekend.
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The discovery comes just 48 hours after the body of a newborn baby was found inside a backpack in the same stretch of the canal, which has generated greater concern among rescue organizations and the population. The man's csdaver was transferred to the National Institute of Forensic Sciences (Inscif) of this city to perform the corresponding autopsy, as well as the baby. The National Police, the Prosecutor's Office, and the Homicide Department are investigating the circumstances surrounding the young man's death and are not ruling out any hypotheses. The director of Civil Defense in Santiago, Francisco Arias, lamented the frequency with which similar cases occur in that body of water. He informed that every month between three and four people are found in the canal, either by drowning, homicides, or because they are thrown in the place. Arias called on municipal authorities to reinforce security and protection in the areas near the canal, by installing perimeter fences to prevent new incidents. He highlighted that the mayor of Santiago, Eddy Báez, has already begun the placement of these structures, but insisted on the need to expand them to other critical points. Investigations continue to clarify this new case that once again highlights the risks posed by the Francisco Espaillat channel for the residents of Santiago Oeste.
