Beachgoers Form Human Chain to Save Drowning Swimmers in Peru · Global Voices
Gabriela García Calderón Orbe

Human chain at Arica beach. Photo widely shared on Twitter.
An incredible act of kindness took place at Arica beach, 18 miles south from Peruvian capital, Lima, on Sunday, March 1.
Dozens of beachgoers formed a human chain to save four swimmers who were struggling against heavy waves, which had prevented lifeguards from going into the sea to rescue them, according to Alejandro Espinoza, who reported the event to El Comercio newspaper's WhatsApp account. Peruvian news website Tawi.pe then picked it up.
The site explained:
[…] al percatarse que los rescatista no se abastecían para sacar del agua a los bañistas, los que se encontraban en el lugar armaron una cadena humana espontáneamente para poder ayudar.
A pesar de que había salvavidas, era complicado sacara (sic) a los bañistas, pues la corriente y las olas eran muy fuerte. Pero finalmente, la cadena humana pudo salvarlos y los que participaron del rescate recibieron los aplausos del público.
[…] when they noticed the rescuers weren't able to take the swimmers from the water, the people who were there spontaneously set up a human chain and so they could help.
Although there were lifeguards, it was complicated to take the swimmers out of the water, as the current and the waves were very heavy. But at last, the human chain was able to save them and those who took part in the rescue received applause from the public.
The news made headlines in various media outlets, and Twitter users shared photos of the human chain:
#Lima: 50 bañistas formaron ‘cadena humana’ para salvar a cuatro … – Trome http://t.co/bCe1qExFLb
— 757Live Peru (@757LivePE) marzo 3, 2015
50 bathers formed a ‘human chain’ to save four…
Cadena humana salvó a cuatro personas de morir ahogadas playa Arica ► wooo [FOTOS] #WasapEC► http://t.co/NfBanZFrVR pic.twitter.com/h4exqVPvAN“
— cristhian (@cristhian258612) marzo 3, 2015
Human chain saved four individuals at risk of drowning at Arica beach.
#Nacionales: Cadena humana de bañistas en Playa Arica salvó a cuatro personas que se ahogaban #CadenaHumana #AHOGADOS #Banistas #Playa
— El Comercio de Cusco (@ComerciodeCusco) marzo 3, 2015
Human chain made up of swimmers at Arica beach saved four people who were drowning.
One Twitter user offered a message full of hope:
Ver la solidaridad de los bañistas en playa Arica para salvar a unas personas, con una cadena humana me hace creer en la humanidad! #Respect
— Jean Fernandez Tapia (@Jeanpierreft) marzo 2, 2015
To witness the solidarity shown by swimmers at Arica beach to save some people with a human chain makes me believe in humanity!
Fortunately, acts of kindness like these are not unusual in Peru. Some time ago, hundreds of motorcycle taxi drivers used their vehicle lights to illuminate an airfield's runway in the Peruvian department of Ucayali so a small airplane that was transporting three patients of delicate health could take off.