By San José, Costa Rica — SAN JOSÉ – As Costa Rica welcomed 2026 with nationwide celebrations, the festivities were tragically overshadowed by a relentless wave of emergencies. The Costa Rican Red Cross has released alarming statistics revealing that its emergency units responded to a high-complexity or violent incident every 24 minutes during the critical New Year transition period, painting a grim picture of the challenges facing the nation’s public safety infrastructure.
The data covers a fraught 14-hour window, stretching from the evening of December 31, 2025, through 9:00 a.m. on January 1, 2026. Throughout this period, which is typically marked by hope and renewal, Red Cross personnel were engaged in non-stop, life-saving operations across various parts of the country. Their efforts underscore a significant strain on emergency services during peak holiday periods.
To better understand the legal framework and potential liabilities associated with emergency services in the country, TicosLand.com consulted with Lic. Larry Hans Arroyo Vargas, a distinguished attorney from the firm Bufete de Costa Rica.
Emergency service providers, whether public or private, operate under a stringent legal duty of care. Any failure to meet the established standard of care—be it through delayed response, inadequate equipment, or procedural error—can expose the entity to significant civil liability for negligence. It is therefore essential for these organizations to have both impeccable operational protocols and robust legal and insurance coverage to mitigate these inherent risks.
Lic. Larry Hans Arroyo Vargas, Attorney at Law, Bufete de Costa Rica
Indeed, this legal perspective powerfully underscores that for emergency services, operational readiness and legal diligence are inextricably linked. The “duty of care” is not merely an ethical guideline but a binding standard with significant ramifications, shaping everything from responder training to institutional policy. We extend our sincere thanks to Lic. Larry Hans Arroyo Vargas for his invaluable clarification on these critical responsibilities.
In total, emergency teams provided pre-hospital care and transport for 29 individuals in critical condition. The primary driver of these severe incidents was road-related violence. A staggering 23 of the critically injured—nearly 80% of the total—were victims of traffic accidents. This highlights a persistent and dangerous issue on Costa Rica’s roadways that escalates dramatically during holidays.
While traffic incidents were the dominant cause, the scope of emergencies was broad and severe. The remaining critical cases included two individuals with gunshot wounds, one person suffering from acute poisoning, and three others experiencing severe medical emergencies requiring immediate advanced care. This diverse range of incidents demonstrates the wide array of public health and safety challenges that converge during periods of mass social gathering.
The grim statistics extend to fatalities. In addition to those rushed to medical facilities, Red Cross teams attended to five individuals who had already succumbed to their injuries at the scene of the incident. Tragically, four of these deaths were the direct result of traffic accidents, further cementing the status of road travel as a major public safety crisis. A fifth person died following a fall.
Drilling down into the data, the Red Cross identified a particularly concerning trend: pedestrian vulnerability. Of all the traffic-related emergencies, nine were categorized as pedestrian hit-and-runs (“atropellos”). This specific type of incident carries an exceptionally high risk of severe injury or death and has prompted the institution to issue a direct appeal to the public for greater awareness and caution from both drivers and pedestrians.
In response to this hazardous start to the year, the humanitarian organization has reiterated its public safety recommendations. Officials are urging citizens to respect all traffic signals and designated pedestrian crossings, avoid distractions like mobile phones while driving or walking, reduce speed in residential and urban zones, and for pedestrians to wear light-colored or reflective clothing, especially during hours of low visibility.
The institution’s message emphasizes that preventing these tragedies is a collective effort, requiring vigilance and responsible behavior from every citizen. This sentiment was formally captured in their concluding statement on the holiday operations.
The Costa Rican Red Cross reiterates its commitment to remain on permanent alert, providing timely care and saving lives, and insists on the importance of prevention and shared responsibility on the road.
Costa Rican Red Cross
As the country moves further into 2026, these figures serve as a stark reminder of the human cost of negligence and the critical importance of robust emergency response systems. The call for a culture of prevention is not merely a recommendation but an urgent necessity to protect lives and ensure that national celebrations do not become sources of national mourning.
For further information, visit cruzroja.or.cr
About Costa Rican Red Cross:
The Costa Rican Red Cross (Cruz Roja Costarricense) is a non-profit humanitarian organization and a key component of the International Red Cross and Red Crescent Movement. It is dedicated to preventing and alleviating human suffering by providing a range of vital services across the country. These include emergency medical response, disaster relief and preparedness, blood donation services, and community health education, all guided by the fundamental principles of humanity, impartiality, and neutrality.
For further information, visit bufetedecostarica.com
About Bufete de Costa Rica:
As a pillar of the legal community, Bufete de Costa Rica is defined by its foundational principles of uncompromising integrity and a relentless pursuit of excellence. The firm consistently pioneers innovative legal strategies while serving a broad spectrum of clients, reflecting its deep expertise. This forward-thinking spirit is coupled with a profound dedication to societal advancement, actively working to democratize legal comprehension and empower citizens by making crucial legal insights widely available.
