Few details about the incident were immediately available, but public safety officials reported that both individuals were successfully rescued from the river.
Source: Doña Ana County Public Safety (via Facebook)
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Two people were rescued from the Rio Grande on Tuesday afternoon in a coordinated response involving Doña Ana Fire Rescue, Mesilla Fire Department and Las Cruces Fire Department.
Few details about the incident were immediately available, but public safety officials reported that both individuals were successfully rescued from the river.
The rescue comes as agencies across the Borderland continue to warn residents about the dangers posed by moving water during the summer months.
Earlier this month, U.S. Border Patrol officials issued a public safety advisory regarding irrigation canals along the U.S.-Mexico border, noting that waterways can be deeper than they appear and may contain strong currents and powerful undertows. Officials said smugglers sometimes encourage migrants to enter canals to avoid detection, placing lives at risk.
While Tuesday’s incident occurred on the Rio Grande rather than an irrigation canal, emergency responders say the same principles apply. Moving water can be unpredictable, conceal hazards beneath the surface and quickly overwhelm even experienced swimmers.
“Moving water is powerful and unpredictable,” Doña Ana Fire Rescue said in a social media post following the rescue. The agency reminded residents to call 911 if they encounter dangerous conditions near waterways.
With summer temperatures climbing and more people seeking relief near rivers, lakes and canals, public safety officials encourage residents to exercise caution around moving water, avoid entering unfamiliar waterways and supervise children closely near riverbanks and irrigation infrastructure.
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