Two British children, aged 11 and 13, tragically drowned while swimming at Llarga beach in Salou, Catalonia, on Tuesday evening. The Spanish General Directorate of Civil Protection reported that the children encountered difficulties in the water, likely exacerbated by high tides in a rocky area. Their father, who had entered the water alongside them, was rescued and underwent resuscitation after several minutes of CPR.
At the time of the incident, a yellow flag was posted at the beach, indicating that while swimming was permitted, caution was advised due to potential hazards. Emergency services received the call about the situation at 8:47 PM and quickly dispatched seven units from the Medical Emergency System (SEM) along with local police and fire departments.
This tragic event marks a grim statistic, bringing the total number of fatalities on Catalan beaches this summer to 16. The spokesperson for the Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Office confirmed that they are providing support to the family affected by this heartbreaking incident and are working closely with local authorities.
While this is a somber story, it serves as a reminder of the importance of beach safety, especially in conditions that may present dangers. Awareness and adherence to safety protocols can potentially prevent such tragedies in the future.