Details of the deaths were not immediately available, but Fajardo said the victims included children who had been abandoned by parents while swimming, as well as people who hit the beaches under the influence of alcohol.
Fajardo described the death toll as “unusual” and higher than in previous years.
“Resorts and beaches were overcrowded. This has also contributed to the number of drowning incidents,” he added.
The World Health Organization states that drowning is the third leading cause of unintentional death worldwide, with an estimated 236,000 deaths annually.