British Brothers Drowned in Spain Due to Strong Currents — Father Tried Desperately to Save Them

The unsupervised beaches and unmanaged rivers in Spain are fast turning into a death trap for tourists, as on average, reportedly around 350 visitors drown annually.

In one such tragic drowning in north-eastern Spain, two brothers hailing from the UK lost their lives to powerful currents even as their father made a valiant but futile effort to save them.

The incident unfolded in Salou, a popular Mediterranean resort in north-eastern Spain, where two brothers, 11 and 13, drowned after struggling in the water despite their father desperately attempting to rescue and save them in the sea.

Emergency Efforts to Save Boys

Emergency services, including police and firefighters, were swiftly called to Platja Llarga, adjacent to the Hotel Negresco, just before 9 pm on Tuesday. Despite all three individuals being brought ashore alive, the two boys could not be revived by the emergency workers.

Reports indicate that the brothers were swimming in a rocky area, approximately 100 meters from the beach, when heavy seas made it impossible for them to return to shore. Their father bravely tried to save them, but ultimately needed to be rescued himself.

Official Account of the Tragedy

José Luis Gargallo, the head of the local police, recounted the harrowing scene: 'A father, along with his son and daughter, was struggling to return to shore. Emergency services managed to pull all three from the water, but tragically, the boy and girl could not be saved despite the best efforts of rescuers.'

Gargallo added that the father survived the rescue operation, 'although he had swallowed a large amount of water and was in a state of exhaustion.' The family, he noted, has five children in total, with the mother having stayed at the 'hotel with the couple's three other children.'

Gargallo explained that lifeguards on the beach had concluded their duties at 8 p.m., an hour before the emergency call came in.

The Perilous Power of the Sea

He also stated that typically, the beach poses no danger, making it an ideal swimming spot 99% of the time.' However, he stressed, 'yesterday was different - not just at that beach, but along the entire coast.'

He noted that people sometimes underestimate the sea's power, particularly in that specific area, which is usually very calm.' Local authorities in Salou, speaking to the BBC, expressed their profound sadness regarding Tuesday night's tragedy.

Salou observed a minute of silence at 11:45 this morning to honour the victims, whose identities police have not yet released, per The Guardian.

Official Responses and Safety Warnings

A spokesperson for the UK Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Office confirmed: 'We are supporting the family of two British children who have died in Spain and are in contact with the local authorities.'

Spanish beaches utilise a flagging system – green, yellow, or red – to indicate sea conditions and current strength. In both Salou and Cambrils, the yellow flag was flying, advising bathers, especially children, to exercise caution.

Oliver Klein, the mayor of Cambrils, expressed his profound sadness at the 'loss of life on our coasts,' asserting that the beaches were safe and well-supervised. 'That said, I wish to appeal to bathers' responsibility,' Klein said. He emphasised the importance of heeding the flags and lifeguard advice, adding, 'The flags aren't just advisory, they are there to save lives.'

Rising Concerns Over Drowning Incidents

Since 15 June, sixteen people have drowned on Catalan beaches, a rise of five compared to the same period last year. Additionally, three more individuals have drowned in swimming pools. In June, a two-year-old British boy drowned in a private swimming pool in Ibiza.

Later that same month, a four-year-old also drowned in a pool in Mijas on the Costa del Sol. Last week, a three-year-old girl tragically drowned in a pool in Alicante, located in south-east Spain. On average, around 350 people drown in Spain each year, with most incidents occurring on unsupervised beaches or in rivers.