US EditionWhen Building Sandcastles and Tunnels, Beware Collapsing Sand | News Channel 3-12
MONTALTO DI CASTRO, ITALY, JUL 11 – Riccardo, 17, suffocated after a 1.5-meter-deep sand tunnel collapsed while digging with siblings; experts warn against holes deeper than 0.6 meters to prevent suffocation.
- A teenage holidaymaker in Italy died on Friday after a sand tunnel collapse in Montalto di Castro, The Mirror reports, as rescue efforts failed to save Riccardo, 17-year-old teenager.
- While their father napped, Riccardo and his siblings dug a 1.5-metre hole that proved unstable, exceeding experts' recommended safety depth, increasing collapse risk.
- An eyewitness described how the tunnel gave way around him, prompting frantic digging by swimmers, lifeguards and his father under a three- to five-minute rescue window.
- In response, mayor Emanuela Socciarelli said `A tragedy that has left us all shocked.` and conveyed her heartfelt condolences.
- Research suggests more people die from sand burial suffocation than from shark attacks, prompting safety advice.
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53 Articles
When building sandcastles and tunnels, beware collapsing sand | News Channel 3-12
OMfotovideocontent // Shutterstock When building sandcastles and tunnels, beware collapsing sand While millions of Americans vacation on beaches every year to seek out sun, sand and the sea, many might not realize how dangerous digging holes in the sand can be. In February 2024, a 7-year-old girl died after an approximately 5-foot (1.5-meter) hole she and her brother dug in the sand collapsed in on her, burying her alive. Stephen P. Leatherman, …
Studies by Stephen Leatherman, Florida International University's coastal scientist: "The collapses are sudden and the weight of the sand closes every window, makes it impossible to breathe"
The holiday fun ends in a tragedy: a 17-year-old is buried on a beach in Italy. The rescue is too late.
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