British brother and sister, aged 11 and 13, drown off Spanish seaside
A British brother and sister, aged 11 and 13, have died after drowning off a seaside on the east coast of Spain, in accordance with native authorities.
The 2 kids, together with their father, have been pulled from the water at Llarga seaside in Salou, Tarragona by emergency companies on Tuesday night.
“Tragically, the boy and lady couldn’t be saved regardless of one of the best efforts of rescuers,” stated the pinnacle of the native police drive, José Luis Gargallo.
He added that the daddy survived “though he had swallowed a considerable amount of water and was in a state of exhaustion”.
Officers earlier reported that the kids who died had each been boys, relatively than a boy and a lady.
“The ocean was tough, and other people generally underestimate its energy – particularly on this space, which is normally very calm,” stated Mr Gargallo.
“Ninety p.c of the time, there isn’t any hazard on that seaside, and it’s thought-about a super spot for swimming. However [Tuesday] was completely different – not simply at that seaside, however alongside all the coast.”
Lifeguards on the seaside had completed by the point the emergency name got here in concerning the drowning kids shortly earlier than 21:00.
Mr Gargallo stated the kids and father have been from a household of 5, and that the mom and different kids have been again at their lodge close by.
He added that authorities would “overview all the pieces” and take steps to stop any related future incidents.
Talking to the BBC, native authorities in Salou stated they have been deeply saddened by Tuesday evening’s tragedy.
A minute’s silence was held outdoors Salou city corridor simply earlier than noon on Wednesday.
Police earlier stated sea situations have been tough and the seaside had a yellow flag all through the day – that means swimming is allowed however warning is suggested – native media reported.
Seven medical models have been dispatched to the scene and police and fireplace companies additionally attended.
Authorities additionally despatched a staff of psychologists to help the household.
A 54-year-old German man additionally drowned on Tuesday on the seaside of Cap de Sant Pere de Cambrils, a brief distance alongside the coast from Llarga seaside.
The deaths deliver the variety of fatalities on Catalan seashores to 16 because the summer time season started on 15 June – 5 greater than the identical interval final 12 months, officers added.
A spokesperson for the UK Overseas Workplace stated: “We’re supporting the household of two British kids who’ve died in Spain and are in touch with the native authorities.”
The civil safety drive urged “the significance of taking excessive precautions on seashores, swimming swimming pools and inland waters this summer time”.
In line with figures from the Salou municipality, round 1.3 million British vacationers go to the city every year.
It comes after plenty of different British deaths in Spain this summer time.
Two British males, aged 19 and 26, died in separate incidents at a lodge and music venue in Ibiza earlier this month.