Two British siblings have died from drowning after they went swimming in Salou, Spain. Their father was rescued alive
Two British siblings have died in Spain(Image: Getty Images)
Two British siblings have died after getting into trouble while swimming off the Spanish coast.
Authorities confirmed the boy aged 11 and girl, 13, were swimming off Salou, Tarragona. Both boys drowned, Spanish officials said, while their father was rescued alive. Police are not treating the incident as a criminal matter.
“Two siblings, of British nationality and aged 11 and 13, drowned this evening on the Llarga beach in Salou (Tarragona),” Catalonia’s Civil Protection said. “The father of the minors, who had also entered the water, was rescued alive.” It comes after a warning to Brit tourists planning all-inclusive holidays to Spain.
Their dad reportedly made a desperate attempt to save them and had to be rescued himself after nearly drowning.
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Both youngsters were in cardiac arrest by the time emergency help arrived in the form of seven land units from the Medical Emergency System (SEM), the Salou Local Police, Catalonian police and the fire brigade.
Psychologists from the SEM were provided to help the family. A Civil Protection spokesman said lifeguards had already left the beach for the day when the tragedy occurred.
The drama at the Costa Dorada resort occurred yesterday evening, with the alert being sounded just before 9pm. The British family involved are understood to have been staying at a nearby hotel.
Following the incident, police warned of the dangers of swimming. “These are the fifteenth and seventeenth fatalities on Catalan beaches since the summer season officially began on 15 June, a figure that already exceeds by five those recorded in the same period last summer which was 11,” the spokesperson said.
The Generalitat’s Civil Protection Department reminds everyone of the importance of taking extreme precautions at beaches, swimming pools and inland waters this summer.
If you see someone who is unwell or in difficulty in the water, you should immediately notify the lifeguard service or call 112 to facilitate rapid action.”
The Civil Protection spokesman said lifeguards had already left the beach for the day when the tragedy occurred.
He added: “Yellow flags had been hoisted during the day at some beaches in the area. Bathing is prohibited when red flags are out and yellow flags means bathers are urged to exercise caution.”
He said he had no information on whether any other relatives were at the beach with the British youngsters and said authorities wouldn’t be naming them.