A 35-year-old woman died after falling from a towed inflatable and being struck by a yacht off Xàbia. The incident highlights ongoing safety concerns in busy tourist waters. Authorities have launched an investigation.
A leisure outing off the coast of Xàbia ended in tragedy on Sunday evening when a 35-year-old woman, Mireia, died after falling from a large inflatable being towed by a rented yacht and was fatally struck by the vessel. The incident occurred around 18:45 near La Caleta, approximately 400 meters from the shoreline, in an area known for heavy maritime traffic and secluded coves popular with tourists.
Mireia, originally from Madrid and recently settled in Dénia where she had opened a café, was spending the weekend with friends. The group had hired a yacht, complete with a licensed skipper, to explore the northern Alicante coastline. Among the planned activities was riding a sizable inflatable, commonly referred to as a 'donut,' attached to the yacht's stern for wave-jumping thrills.
According to initial reports, Mireia lost her balance—possibly due to the swell or instability of the inflatable—and fell into the water. As the yacht maneuvered to retrieve her, the crew lost sight of her position. The vessel's hull passed over her, and she suffered severe injuries from the propeller. Despite rapid intervention by emergency medical teams, Mireia could not be saved.
The Civil Guard from nearby Altea has taken charge of the investigation. The yacht has been secured in port for a thorough review of its documentation and compliance with safety regulations. Early indications treat the case as an accident, with no evidence so far of negligence or technical failure.
This fatality is not an isolated case in the region. Last year, a similar accident in Xàbia claimed the life of a 34-year-old woman who fell from the bow of a boat and was also struck by the propeller. In another recent incident, a 60-year-old man suffered a foot amputation after a propeller injury in the same municipality. In 2023, journalist and comedian Nerea Pérez de las Heras lost her right leg in a comparable accident in Cala Turqueta, Menorca.
Local authorities in Xàbia have reiterated calls for heightened caution among recreational boat users, especially those renting vessels for leisure activities. Municipal sources urge strict adherence to skippers' instructions, particularly regarding leaning overboard or swimming near the hull while engines are running. The repeated nature of such incidents underscores the risks associated with maritime tourism in busy coastal zones.
Spain's Mediterranean coast, especially areas like Xàbia, attracts thousands of visitors each year seeking secluded beaches and water sports. The combination of high vessel density and recreational activities increases the likelihood of accidents, particularly when safety protocols are not rigorously followed. The Civil Guard regularly inspects rental boats for compliance, but enforcement relies heavily on the vigilance of both operators and passengers. The latest tragedy has renewed debate over the adequacy of current safety measures and the need for greater public awareness of maritime risks.
