A second teenager has died following a drowning accident at l’Arrabassada beach in Tarragona. Emergency services rescued three minors, but one remains in critical condition. The Generalitat president expressed condolences.
A second minor has died in hospital after a drowning incident at l’Arrabassada beach in Tarragona, intensifying concerns over beach safety as summer approaches. The accident, which occurred on Friday afternoon, involved three teenagers who were unable to escape the water near a rocky area marked by a yellow flag due to rough waves. Emergency services responded after lifeguards reported that six young people were struggling in the sea, but only three managed to reach the shore unaided.
According to official reports, the incident unfolded around 15:30, when lifeguards at the cueva del Gos section of the beach noticed several swimmers in distress. While half of the group managed to exit the water on their own, the remaining three required immediate rescue. Medical teams attempted to resuscitate a 12-year-old at the scene, but he was pronounced dead. The other two, both aged 13, were transported in critical condition to Hospital Joan XXIII in Tarragona.
In the hours following the rescue, one of the hospitalized 13-year-olds succumbed to his injuries, bringing the death toll to two. The third minor remains in critical condition, with medical staff continuing intensive care. The president of the Generalitat, Salvador Illa, publicly expressed his condolences to the families and friends of the victims, and acknowledged the efforts of the Sistema de Emergencias Médicas (SEM) and hospital staff involved in the response.
Authorities have highlighted that the yellow flag was raised at the time of the incident, signaling hazardous swimming conditions due to strong waves. The tragedy underscores the importance of adhering to beach safety warnings, especially in areas with unpredictable currents and rocky formations. In Spain, yellow flags indicate moderate danger, advising swimmers to exercise caution. According to the Spanish Ministry of Health, drowning remains one of the leading causes of accidental death among minors during the summer months, with coastal regions like Catalonia reporting several incidents each year. The events in Tarragona serve as a stark reminder of the risks present even on monitored beaches.
