Spanish
What began as an afternoon of recreation among friends ended in tragedy after authorities found Josué David Calderón, a minor of just 13 years old who had been reported missing after entering the Chamelecón River.
The teenager was last seen on the afternoon of Tuesday, May 26, when he left from the Terencio neighborhood accompanied by several friends with whom he intended to spend part of the day in the area.
According to the account provided by family members, the group initially went to a soccer field and then moved on an ATV to the vicinity of the river.The minor's mother explained that Josué David left at approximately 4:00 in the afternoon with three friends and that, subsequently, one of them decided to take him to bathe in the Chamelecón River while other young people went to buy food.
From that moment on, the family lost contact with the teenager, which generated immediate concern among their loved ones.Hours later, family members began an intense search in different sectors near the river in the hope of finding him safe and sound.
We recommend reading: The anguish increased after only some of the minor's clothing was found, which were allegedly hidden in a small cave near the place where he entered the water. Faced with the disappearance, members of the Fire Department and agents of the Police Investigation Directorate (DPI) mobilized to the area to begin tracking and search efforts in the waters of the Chamelecón River. After several hours of work, the authorities located the lifeless body of the minor inside the river, preliminarily confirming that he had died by drowning. The tragedy occurred after the teenager entered the river with several friends. The news caused scenes of deep sorrow among family members, neighbors, and people who had joined the search efforts hoping to find the teenager alive. People close to the family lamented what had happened and recalled that Josué David had gone out only to spend time with his friends, without imagining that the outing would end in tragedy. The case also raised concerns about the risks posed by different rivers and ravines in the country, especially during seasons where currents can increase or present deep areas that are difficult to access. In Honduras, multiple incidents related to drownings are reported each year, mainly involving minors who enter rivers, beaches, or swimming areas without adult supervision. Relief authorities have repeatedly insisted on the importance of taking extreme precautions when visiting rivers and aquatic areas, especially when it comes to children and adolescents. They also recommend avoiding entering unknown areas, not swimming in areas with strong currents, and maintaining constant vigilance over minors during recreational activities. Rescue teams carried out intensive search efforts in the area where the minor disappeared. The death of Josué David has caused consternation in the Terencio colony and other San Pedro communities, where neighbors and acquaintances expressed messages of solidarity towards the minor's family. Meanwhile, the authorities will continue with the corresponding proceedings to fully clarify the circumstances in which this unfortunate event occurred. The case adds to other similar tragedies recorded in different parts of the country, where rescue teams constantly reiterate calls for prevention to avoid further human losses related to recreational activities in rivers and spas.
