Teen almost drowns amid strong sea currents in La Union beach

January 13, 2026 – 2:56 PM

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A teenage beachgoer was caught in strong waves and treacherous currents while swimming in

San Juan, La Union

A video showing the incident went viral, capturing a 16-year-old female resident of

Zaragoza, Nueva Ecija,

being swept by the waves in

Barangay Urbiztondo

. The footage also shows two of her companions struggling to make it back to shore.

Reports

said the teen was dragged about 15 meters from the shore by strong waves.

A member of the

Philippine Coast Guard (PCG)

, who was on patrol at that time, rescued her and brought her safely back to the beach.

She was medically assessed and found to be in good physical condition, with no visible injuries, and was later reunited with her family after the near-drowning incident.

Meanwhile, the PCG returned to its lifeguard tower and continued monitoring the area.

Coast Guard Station La Union

reminded the public

in a social media post.

Others also warned that beachgoers should refrain from swimming whenever large waves are present, stressing the dangers of strong currents and unpredictable sea conditions.

“Aba, kapag ganyan kalaki alon, hindi na dapat naligo,” a

said.

“Parang pang surfing ang alon. Never to go sa dangerous area. Pwede sa shoreline lang, sa may buhangin,” another

user

wrote.

November 2025

, the PCG also rescued a male beachgoer who nearly drowned at

Kabsat Beach Resort

in the same barangay.

Similar to the recent incident, the man was swept by strong waves and later said he struggled against powerful currents while swimming.

Authorities noted that the Northeast monsoon, or “amihan,” is currently prevailing over the country, contributing to rough sea conditions along the seaboards of northern Luzon due to wind surges.