The Ministry of Foreign Affairs on Monday expressed condolences following the death of Mario Genz, Germany’s Consul in Costa Rica.

“We extend our deepest condolences to Mario Genz’s family and to his colleagues at the German Embassy and Consulate in San José, reiterating our support and solidarity during these difficult moments of grief,” the ministry said in a statement.

Genz, 53, worked as a consul alongside his wife as part of Germany’s diplomatic corps, or foreign service. As an official representative of the German government, he assisted German citizens and helped promote and facilitate commercial and diplomatic relations between the two countries.

The German Embassy also expressed sympathy and gratitude for the support it received from Costa Rican authorities, the German community in Costa Rica and the Costa Rican people following Genz’s death.

“In these moments of profound sadness, your words, messages and gestures of affection have been a source of comfort and have made us feel that we are not alone,” the embassy said in a social media post.

“Mario leaves a deep mark on all of us who had the opportunity to know him and work with him,” German authorities added. “He will always live in our memories.”

Genz died Saturday in a water accident while scuba diving in a lagoon in Río Cuarto Canton, Alajuela Province.

According to the Development Association of Río Cuarto Lagoon Tourist Center, a community organization responsible for managing sporting activities, including diving and swimming at the lagoon, Genz was a certified and experienced diver who regularly visited the site for recreational activities.

“Mario was also a certified diver and a frequent visitor to the lagoon, where he regularly practiced swimming and diving,” the organization said in a social media post.

Authorities said lagoon personnel immediately activated an emergency rescue protocol after the accident occurred.

“Once the emergency situation was alerted, the lagoon staff acted immediately, rescuing him from the water and activating the emergency response protocol,” they said.

According to reports from the Fire Department and the Red Cross, both operating from stations in Río Cuarto Canton, emergency responders arrived after receiving a call from the lagoon’s administrators. The accident was reported at approximately 2:30 p.m. Saturday.

Three ambulance units and one Fire Department unit arrived at the scene. Genz reportedly had been in the water for approximately 30 minutes before being rescued.

“Upon arrival, we began emergency cardiopulmonary resuscitation (CPR), which continued for more than an hour,” a Fire Department representative said. “Despite the CPR efforts, it was confirmed that he had no vital signs,” the representative added.

Paramedics pronounced Genz dead at the scene.

They coordinated with local police and investigators from the Judicial Investigation Organization (OIJ) in handling the case.

Genz’s body was later transported to the OIJ Morgue facilities in Heredia Province, where forensic specialists are expected to perform an autopsy to officially determine the cause of death.

Daniel Kriener is Germany’s current ambassador to Costa Rica. He began serving in the position in August 2022.

According to the German Embassy’s website, its responsibilities include providing consular assistance and handling documentation related to the death of a German citizen abroad. This includes providing information about local procedures that must be followed and coordinating communication with Germany’s Federal Foreign Office.

People seeking more information about assistance available from the German Embassy in cases involving German citizens who die in Costa Rica can visit the embassy, located at Torre La Sabana in San José, call 2290-9091 or visit the embassy’s official website.

The Ministry of Foreign Affairs oversees Costa Rica’s foreign policy and manages the country’s diplomatic missions worldwide.

The OIJ, a division of Costa Rica’s Supreme Court of Justice, is responsible for conducting criminal investigations and has nationwide police authority.

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