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Spain faces water safety crisis as drowning deaths surge before summer season
More than 150 lives have been lost to drowning in first half of 2025, with tourist season yet to begin
The numbers are sobering and the trend deeply concerning. Spain is grappling with a water safety emergency that has already claimed more than 150 lives through drowning incidents as of June 10, 2025.
With the peak summer tourist season still ahead, safety experts are sounding urgent warnings about what could become one of the deadliest years on record for aquatic accidents.
Just this week, a 70-year-old man lost his life while swimming at the popular Playa del Cura beach in Torrevieja, Alicante. His death adds to a mounting toll that paints a troubling picture of water safety across the country.
The statistics reveal a disturbing upswing in drowning incidents. The latest data from Spain's Integrated Water Incident Data Management System (SIFA) shows that June alone has already witnessed 13 drowning deaths in just the first ten days of the month. This rapid pace suggests the summer months could see an even more devastating death toll.
May proved particularly deadly, with 44 lives lost in the water. The month’s weather might have had something to do with it, as people flocked to the beach when the temperatures began to climb after weeks of rain.
To put the current crisis in perspective, 2024 recorded more than 470 drowning deaths across Spain, making it the second-worst year for aquatic fatalities in the past decade. The current trajectory suggests 2025 could surpass even that grim milestone.
Where in Spain do the most drowning occur?
The 2025 National Drowning Report reveals significant regional variations in drowning incidents. Andalucía leads the tragic count with 33 victims, followed by the Canary Islands with 30 deaths and Galicia with 20.
The data reveals telling patterns about where and how these tragedies occur. Beaches account for 40% of all drowning incidents, while rivers claim 30% of victims and swimming pools are responsible for 10% of deaths. The remaining incidents occur in various other aquatic environments, from lakes to water parks.
The human face of the statistics
Behind these numbers are real people and families devastated by preventable tragedies. The victims span all ages and backgrounds, though certain patterns emerge from the data.
Nearly 60% of drowning victims are over 45 years old, suggesting that age-related factors such as overconfidence, medical conditions or reduced physical capability may play a role.
However, the loss of young lives remains particularly heartbreaking. Thirteen minors between 0 and 18 years old have already perished in 2025, including a tragic incident on June 6 when a two-year-old British boy drowned in a swimming pool at a holiday rental villa in Ibiza.
Most victims are male and of Spanish nationality, though 25 cases involved foreign nationals.
Perhaps the most alarming finding is that more than 100 drowning incidents occurred in unsupervised areas or locations without lifeguard services.
Safety guidelines
Water safety experts stress that most drowning incidents are entirely preventable with proper precautions and responsible behaviour. The key lies in education, preparation and making smart choices about when and where to enter the water.
For public swimming areas, the most crucial advice is simple: swim only in supervised locations with trained lifeguards on duty. These professionals can spot dangerous conditions, recognise swimmers in distress and respond with life-saving interventions when seconds count.
Families with children must maintain constant vigilance. Young people should never be left unattended near water, even for brief moments. Adequate flotation devices should be readily available and adults should avoid the temptation to dive headfirst into unfamiliar waters where hidden obstacles or shallow depths could cause serious injury.
Swimmers should also listen to their bodies and exit the water immediately at any sign of discomfort, fatigue or distress. Many drowning incidents involve people who ignored early warning signs that they were in trouble.
Private pools present unique challenges and require specific safety measures. Property owners should install perimeter fencing with locked access to prevent unsupervised entry, especially by children. Pool areas should be kept free of running and horseplay that could lead to accidents.
Before entering any pool, swimmers should wet themselves gradually to avoid hydrocution syndrome, a condition where sudden temperature changes can cause loss of consciousness. Community pool users should also respect any posted rules and instructions from lifeguards or staff.
Emergency response
When water emergencies occur, the response can mean the difference between life and death. Spain's emergency services can be reached by calling 112.
Bystanders should remain calm and, if it's safe to do so, throw a floating object to someone in distress rather than attempting a direct rescue that could endanger additional lives.
The key is to get help quickly while avoiding actions that could turn one tragedy into multiple casualties. Untrained rescuers often become victims themselves when they enter dangerous water conditions.
Image: Ayuntamiento de Orihuela
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