German consul in Costa Rica dies in lagoon drowning

Mario Genz, the German consul in Costa Rica, died on Saturday after an emergency occurred while he was swimming in a lagoon. The incident took place at a recreational center located at the Río Cuarto lagoon in the Alajuela province, approximately 75 kilometers north of San José.

Local reports suggest Genz may have drowned after his kayak capsized, though the specific nature of the emergency has not been detailed by the center's administration. Following the incident, staff immediately removed him from the water, and emergency responders from the Red Cross and fire department attempted resuscitation efforts for a prolonged period without success. The Costa Rican Foreign Ministry expressed its condolences regarding the diplomat's passing.