Sixteen people have died while bathing at Catalan beaches and swimming pools since the official bathing season began on 15 June, according to Protecció Civil de la Generalitat, the Catalan Government’s civil-protection service.

The agency said 12 deaths occurred at beaches and four at pools. For beachgoers, families and older swimmers, its immediate advice is to choose supervised bathing areas and not to swim alone, particularly if feeling unwell.

The figure was eight lower than at the same point in the 2023 season, when 24 people had died, including 17 at beaches and seven in pools. Protecció Civil also said that 10 people died at beaches before this year’s official bathing season, compared with two before the previous season.

85-year-old dies at Canet de Mar beach

The most recent beach death cited by Protecció Civil was an 85-year-old Spanish man who died while swimming at Platja del Cavaió in Canet de Mar, in the Maresme comarca.

The service said older people should bathe with company and should not enter the water if they are tired or feel unwell.

25 children injured in pool incidents

Protecció Civil reported that 25 children had been injured in swimming-pool incidents since 15 June. Sixteen were under five years old and nine were aged between six and 12.

  • Four serious drowning incidents occurred in private pools.
  • Thirteen occurred at municipal pools or sports facilities.
  • Eight occurred at campsites, hotels or holiday-colony facilities.

The agency warned that children can drown silently and within seconds. Adults should maintain continuous supervision and take children out of the water if that supervision cannot be maintained.

112 calls concentrated in coastal comarques

Up to that week, Catalonia’s 112 emergency number had received 1,353 calls linked to beach incidents, concerning 945 cases. Fifty-five per cent of calls requested medical help, while 29% concerned sea conditions.

The Barcelonès recorded 208 calls, followed by the Tarragonès with 180 and the Alt Empordà and Baix Empordà with 157. Bathers should follow lifeguards’ instructions and beach flags; in an emergency, call 112.

Reported by naciodigital.cat, Helena Rius, Marc Estarriola, Mireia Puig, ACN, EFE, TJERK VAN DER MEULEN, eixdiari.cat.