Strong winds cause three deaths in Costa Rica, one in El Salvador

Three people have died in Costa Rica, includiing two Swiss tourists, and one in El Salvador as a result of intense winds in the region caused by a cold front over the weekend, first-aid organizations reported Sunday.

The Costa Rican Firefighters’ Corps reported that the Swiss tourists, identified as Marie Louise and Rodolf Balmere, both 70, died early Sunday morning when a tree fell onto the cabin where they were staying in the Caribbean beach town of Cahuita.

Hours later, a man died across the country at the Central Pacific port of Caldera; a tree fell on him while he was riding a bicycle, firefighters indicated.

In El Salvador, a woman died when a tree fell onto a home located on El Litoral Highway in El Puerto de La Libertad, 41 kilometers south of San Salvador, Civil Protection authorities reported. The victim was identified as María Saraí Maldonado, 25. Three other members of her family had to be rescued by neighbors and Red Cross workers.

Strong winds began to affect Central America on Saturday because of a cold front. Winds reached up to 90 km per hour.

In Costa Rica, firefighters responded to various incidents around the country, most of them related to fallen trees.

Strong winds are expected to continue until Monday, and authorities ask the population to exercise caution. Costa Rica’s National Emergency Commission (CNE) posted Sunday afternoon on its website that a Yellow Alert is in place for the Central Valley, Northern Pacific, Northern Zone, Sarapiquí, Central Puntarenas and the Caribbean.