A four-year-old boy died Wednesday afternoon after drowning in a reservoir in Todos Santos, a coastal community about 50 miles north of Cabo San Lucas in the municipality of La Paz, Baja California Sur.
The child, identified as Félix Ubaldo, was found without vital signs after entering the water at the reservoir. Emergency services received the alert at 12:27 p.m. local time. Units from the Delta Donato sector responded to the scene.
Authorities Open Investigation
First responders were unable to revive the boy. Authorities have cordoned off the area surrounding the reservoir, and an investigation into the circumstances of his death remains open.
Officials have not released details on how the child came to enter the water. They have not said whether he was supervised at the time or how long he was in the reservoir before being discovered.
Open Water Hazards in Rural BCS
Reservoirs, or “represos,” are common throughout rural Baja California Sur. Ranchers and farmers use them to collect and store rainwater for irrigation and livestock, particularly in the arid stretches between La Paz and Cabo San Lucas. These open water bodies are typically unfenced and lack safety barriers or warning signs.
Todos Santos, known for its art galleries, surf breaks, and growing expat community, sits in an agricultural valley surrounded by farms, orchards, and ranches. The town’s rural outskirts include numerous small reservoirs and seasonal arroyos that fill during the summer hurricane season and can retain standing water for weeks or months afterward.
Following the incident, authorities called for stronger prevention measures around open water sources in areas where children are present. Drowning remains one of the leading causes of accidental death for young children in Mexico, according to national health statistics. Children ages one to four face the highest risk.
The investigation is being handled by local authorities in the La Paz municipality. No further details have been released.
This story was first reported by BCS Noticias.