### Baja Beach Fest Generates 80 Tons of Trash on Rosarito Beach
The 2024 Baja Beach Fest, held in Playas de Rosarito, attracted 41,000 visitors over the weekend, significantly increasing the usual number of beachgoers. As a result, the beach saw an unprecedented volume of waste, with beach cleanup crews collecting more than 80 tons of garbage.
Luis Felipe Figueroa Rubio, head of the Federal Maritime Terrestrial Zone Fund (Zofemat) of Playas de Rosarito, reported that three shifts of cleaning personnel worked continuously to manage the waste. By midday Monday, 80% of the garbage had been cleared from the central beach area.
“Normally, a typical weekend involves collecting between 25 to 30 tons of trash,” Figueroa Rubio mentioned. “However, from August 9 to 11, that number skyrocketed to approximately 80 tons.” Despite the heavy influx of trash, the situation remained under control, thanks to the 24-hour operations carried out in three shifts.
Besides the main beach, cleanup efforts extended to other locations such as Bebé Beach and Lienzo Charro Beach. The most commonly discarded items included beer cans, bottles, plastic waste, and foam materials.
Figueroa Rubio advised the public to avoid bringing items in bottles, citing safety concerns. He further urged visitors to take their trash with them, using the same bags they brought for their food and drinks, to help keep the beach clean.
“There are plenty of trash bins available, but that doesn’t mean people should come and dump their household waste here,” he remarked, highlighting instances where people left household garbage at the beach.
To manage the cleanup, Zofemat’s 17-person team had to work double shifts throughout the weekend, ensuring the beaches remained suitable for tourist activities.
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### Incident at Baja Beach Fest: Young Man Severely Beaten
A troubling incident was reported during the Baja Beach Fest, where a young man was severely beaten. Captured on video by festival-goers, the assault took place on the night of Saturday, August 10. The victim was kicked in the head multiple times while lying on the ground. Fortunately, he survived the assault and managed to leave the General Hospital on his own.
### Local Tourism Braces for High Footfall on Labor Day
The local tourism industry is gearing up for an expected surge in visitors for Labor Day. Preparations are underway to accommodate the influx, ensuring all safety and leisure activities are well-coordinated to manage the high numbers of tourists efficiently.
### Rising Health Tourism in Baja California
Baja California continues to be a prime destination for health tourism, attracting around 3.5 million visitors annually seeking medical services. This growing trend emphasizes the region’s significance in providing quality healthcare options combined with leisure activities.
### Community Efforts and Public Safety Alerts
In related news, various community and safety initiatives are being promoted:
– A local collective has discovered over 100 bodies so far in 2024.
– Families of victims received support with memorial services and efforts to solve cases of the missing.
– Delegates in Tijuana urged residents to adhere to safety measures following rehabilitation projects, despite frequent instances of vandalism.
– Legal pathways for car importation are being discussed following changes to the “chocolate cars” decree.
### Education and Public Health
Teachers at Cecytes remain on strike, negotiating terms before the school year begins. Additionally, a public health warning has been issued as 18% of Baja California’s population is at risk of diabetes, potentially leading to vision problems.
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