Home Two Chesapeake men suspected of drowning at Virginia Beach Oceanfront
Virginia News

Two Chesapeake men suspected of drowning at Virginia Beach Oceanfront

Crystal Graham
Virginia Beach oceanfront distorted
Virginia beach oceanfront (photo by Crystal Graham)

Two bodies have been recovered from the Virginia Beach Oceanfront likely related to a drowning incident on Saturday night near 16th Street.

One body was found Monday around 7:30 p.m.; the second body was recovered Tuesday just before 4:30 a.m.

The two men reported missing were Sergio Ajbal, 22, and Sergio Xinico, 22, both of Chesapeake.

A third man washed ashore in the same incident and was taken to the hospital in critical condition. His name has not been released nor has his condition been updated.

Virginia Beach Police said it received the call about three men struggling to make it to shore just before 8:30 p.m. on Saturday. The Coast Guard, fire and police departments searched for the men using boats, ATVs and helicopters.

On Sunday, Virginia Beach Lifesaving Service advised swimmers to stay out of the ocean due to rough conditions.

On Monday morning, two people were rescued from the water in a separate incident at approximately 11 a.m. in the same general area as the drownings on Saturday night. Two children were rescued and are in stable condition.

Dangerous rip currents were reported by the National Weather Service on Tuesday evening. A beach hazard statement remains in effect through Wednesday at 1:30 a.m.

Lifeguards are not on stands in Virginia Beach as it is off-season on the Oceanfront. Crews are still patrolling the beach by ATV, according to a spokesperson for the Virginia Beach Police Department. Red flags, which warn swimmers of dangerous conditions, are generally posted on lifeguard stands in the summer season, but the stands have been removed for the year.

If you see someone drowning, call 911.

Crystal Graham

Crystal Graham

Crystal Abbe Graham is the regional editor of Augusta Free Press. A 1999 graduate of Virginia Tech, she has worked for 25 years as a reporter and editor for several Virginia publications, written a book, and garnered more than a dozen Virginia Press Association awards for writing and graphic design. She was the co-host of "Viewpoints," a weekly TV news show, and co-host of Virginia Tonight, a nightly TV news show on PBS. Her work on "Virginia Tonight" earned her a national Telly award for excellence in television.