US closes Guantanamo beach where 3 Marines drowned pending investigation of July 4 incident

US closes Guantanamo beach where Marines drowned

SAN JUAN, Puerto Rico — The U.S. military has closed a beach at its Navy base in Guantanamo Bay, Cuba, as it investigates the July 4 drowning of three Marines.

A Navy spokesman says Cable Beach will be off-limits until further notice. It is one of a handful of Guantanamo beaches for base personnel and dependents.

Terence Peck said Thursday that military authorities are still looking into the circumstances surrounding the deaths of the three Marines.

The three drowned after getting separated from two others who made it back to shore. The military said tests showed they had not been drinking alcohol.

The Marines were assigned to a unit that guards the fence dividing the base from the rest of Cuba.