A team of psychologists were sent to help the British family who had suffered a double tragedy when two children drowned of the north east coast of Spain
Psychologists have been helping the British family who suffered a double tragedy when a brother and sister, aged 11 and 13, drowned off a beach during their Spanish holiday.
Their dad is believed to have witnessed the tragedy and was left “exhausted” after swallowing lots of water as he tried desperately to save his children. It is believed the girl and her little brother, were caught up in a strong current on Tuesday evening. There was an amber flat on display which says to swim “with caution”. Their dad survived after he was rescued by emergency workers.
A team of psychologists were sent to help the family who are believed to to still be at their hotel near the beach, as arrangements are made to repatriate the bodies. It comes after a Brit mum’s ‘horrendous’ death after being scratched by a puppy with rabies on holiday.
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The children’s deaths happened just hours after a 54 year old German died in the same region and triggered a safety alert from the Government and Police.
El Peridico, a Spanish newspaper, claims one swimmer drowns every three days on Catalan beaches, suggesting Spain is seeing another ‘black summer’ as the country is heading for the worst death toll from drowning in a decade. They say the holiday hotspot, popular with Brits, is one death away from matching the whole 2024 season for drowning fatalities.
The two British siblings were swimming less than an hour after the lifeguards had finished working on Tuesday evening. A hotel worker tried to help the children as emergency services were called to Llarga beach in Salou, near Tarragona, shortly after 8.45pm local time. Police officers also jumped into the sea to drag the family out.
At a news conference on Wednesday, Inspector Jose Luis Gargallo, head of Salou’s local police, told reporters: “There were three people who were having serious difficulty getting out of the sea.
“There was a father with his son and daughter, of British nationality. When they got out, both of them, the boy and girl, aged 11 and 13, showed no signs of life. Attempts were made to resuscitate them with CPR, but they were unsuccessful.
“The father, fortunately, was able to be saved. He had swallowed a lot of water, he was exhausted, very fatigued, but the father was able to be saved thanks to the emergency services.”
They say these deaths have triggered an alert with the Government and Police calling for caution when bathing on beaches, swimming pools, or inland waters because of “the high number of drownings recorded during this first stretch of summer.”
The Spanish newspaper says the 16 deaths on Catalan beaches since June 15th have occurred primarily on their central coast and the Costa Brava.
They claim in the 45 days of the summer season, which began on June 15th, they have seen 16 people drowned on the coast, which is one victim, almost every three days and five more deaths than in the same period last year, when there were 11.
El Periodico reports: “In fact, we are one death away from matching the figures for the entire 2024 season.
“If we add to these 16 drownings on beaches, another three people have died in swimming pools and another three in inland waters such as rivers, ponds or lakes.
“Catalonia is experiencing one of the worst summers for drowning in recent years, with 22 deaths in 45 days, which is one death every two days.
“In the same period in 2024 five fatalities were recorded in swimming pools and three in inland waters, which, together with the 11 deaths on beaches, brought the total to 18.”
They point out in Catalonia, there is no central comprehensive lifeguard system. It depends on each of the 66 municipalities that have jurisdiction over the coast.
They report: “Thus, the Catalan coast faces situations such as large, unsupervised beaches adjacent to others that are supervised but belong to another municipality.
“Lifeguards are considering a strike due to the precariousness of this…” Calls for action started two years ago in 2023.
The deaths follows the tragedy of two British men, aged 19 and 26, who died in separate incidents at a hotel and music venue in Ibiza earlier this month.
Royal Life Saving Society UK say an average of 82 UK citizens drown each year whilst abroad. In their safety tips they say to remember to call 999 in the UK or 112 if abroad.
“Things can be different on holiday, so take time to review safety notices and learn what local signs and flags mean. Survey your surroundings, look for potential hazards and warn members of your group to avoid possible risks. Wear brightly coloured swimwear so you can be seen underwater. Never use inflatables in open water.
“Always keep children under the constant supervision of a capable adult.and keep small children within arm’s reach. 86% of child drownings occur in the absence of adult supervision.
“Always choose to visit a lifeguarded venue wherever possible. Research the resort you are going to ahead of your trip. Swim with others. It’s safer to swim in pairs or groups who can help should anyone get into trouble in the water.
“Be sure children know where to go if they become lost or separated from the group. If you fall into the water or become tired – stay calm, float on your back and call for help. Throw something that floats to somebody that has fallen in. Make sure the whole family knows basic water safety and what to do if they find themselves in the water.”
