Two women died while swimming at Catalan beaches on Sunday. At around 16:14, a 73-year-old German woman was pulled unconscious from the water at Platja de la Rubina in Castelló d’Empúries (province of Girona). Lifeguards immediately began resuscitation, and teams from the Sistema d’Emergències Mèdiques continued the efforts but were unable to save the woman. According to emergency services, lifeguards were on duty and warning flags were in use at that stretch of beach.
About two hours later, at around 18:20, another fatal swimming accident occurred at Platja de Llevant in Salou (province of Tarragona). An 81-year-old woman was brought ashore by lifeguards; here too, resuscitation attempts by the Sistema d’Emergències Mèdiques were unsuccessful. Several emergency service units attended both incidents. The Mossos d’Esquadra undertook the police investigation into the circumstances and causes.
According to the authorities, both incidents were drownings. Beach patrols were active in Castelló d’Empúries; four ambulances and a medical helicopter were among the resources deployed. In Salou, several emergency vehicles arrived after beach staff raised the alarm. Official findings on the exact causes of death are still pending and will follow medical examination.
Protecció Civil of the Generalitat is keeping statistics on fatal incidents at beaches during the current bathing season. With the two cases reported on Sunday, the number of deaths registered in Catalonia since the start of the season has risen to 23, according to the authorities. Analyses by emergency services and police aim to establish more precisely any contributing factors, such as currents, medical emergencies in the water or response times at the beach.
The authorities remind people to observe beach flag signals, swim only in supervised areas and leave the water immediately if they feel exhausted or unwell. In an emergency, call the emergency services promptly to minimise the time before life-saving measures begin. Further information from the Mossos d’Esquadra investigation is expected once the initial inquiries have been completed.
Editor: Mira Cadena (Article created with AI assistance).