Panic in Spain with four worrying reasons so many tourists are drowning

Cala Fustera Beach, province of Alicante, Spain (Image: Getty)

Every year hundreds of drownings are reported in Spain with several Brits being counted among those who get into difficulty in the water while they are on holiday; but the popular tourist destination is experiencing a worrying rise in 2024.

In June 61 deaths alone were recorded, according to the Royal Spanish Federation of Rescue and Lifesaving (RFESS). This includes five drownings in less than 72 hours on the Costa Blanca. 

On Friday June 7, a 52-year-old Brit holidaymaker and a 46-year-old Polish tourist tragically died while trying to rescue two children ages six and seven in the sea.

At one point, it was feared that up to eight people had drowned in the horrifying event at Playa de La Roqueta de Guardamar de Segura by Calle Peru and Hotel Casablanca as bachgoers bravely rushed into the water to rescue the two children.

The weather conditions were reportedly severe, with strong winds producing gusts of 60 kilometres per hour.

Tourists Relax by the Mediterranean Sea, Spain (Image: Getty)

According to the Royal Spanish LIfesaving Federation, people aged between 55 and 74 are most likely to come into trouble in the water and registered the most deaths in the first half of 2024.

Most incidents occur at the beach with 104 deaths in the first half of 2024 and 42 in June. Another 43 people died in rivers, five of them in June while 11 have died in swimming pools this year.

Alberto Aguilar put the rise in deaths down to adverse weather factors, crowds or overconfidence.

He said: “The rise in June of incidents makes it difficult to establish a clear pattern.

“In Addition, June is a month where not all coastal areas have a lifeguard service which increases the risk of incidents with the other factor being recklessness or overconfidence.”

Earlier this year Andalucia’s regional government presented a new initiative aimed at preventing drownings. Antonio Sanz, Regional Minister of the Presidency, emphasised the importance of public safety and accident prevention.

He highlighted last year’s 72 drowning deaths in Andalucía’s waters, showing the urgent need for this action plan.

Launched in the Cadiz Province, the plan targets swimming pools, beaches and sun bathing spots throughout the region.

The initative included an app called ‘Catálogo General de Playas’, which features a speaking virtual assistant providing real-time beach conditions and safety information. This tool is designed to facilitate effective emergency response and coordination.