Two British siblings, an 11-year-old girl and a 13-year-old boy, have died after drowning off a beach in Salou, on Spain’s east coast.
The children and their father were pulled from the water at Llarga beach in Tarragona by emergency services on Tuesday evening. Despite rescue efforts, the two children could not be revived. Their father survived but was treated for exhaustion after swallowing a large amount of water.
Local Police Chief José Luis Gargallo described the sea conditions as unusually rough, noting that while the beach is typically calm and safe, its power can be underestimated. A yellow flag had been in place throughout the day, advising swimmers to exercise caution. The incident occurred shortly before 9 p.m., after lifeguard services for the day had concluded.
The family of five was on holiday, with the mother and another child at their hotel when the tragedy struck. In response, a minute’s silence was held outside Salou town hall on Wednesday, and authorities have pledged to review safety measures to prevent future incidents.
The UK Foreign Office confirmed it is supporting the family and is in contact with local authorities. A team of psychologists has also been dispatched to provide assistance.
This event was part of a tragic day along the Catalan coast. A 54-year-old German man also drowned on Tuesday at a nearby beach. Officials report that these fatalities bring the number of deaths on Catalan beaches to 16 since the summer season began on June 15, five more than during the same period last year. The civil protection force has urged the public to take extreme precautions in and around water this summer.
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