Lorraine Williamson
What began as a family getaway to Spain’s popular Costa Daurada has ended in unspeakable tragedy. Two British brothers, aged 11 and 13, lost their lives in the sea near Salou on Tuesday evening after being swept away by powerful currents.
Their father, who bravely entered the water to try to save them, was pulled out unconscious but later revived.
The family, who were staying in a hotel near Platja Llarga, is believed to have been enjoying the beach when disaster struck close to Punta Daurada, a rocky headland notorious for strong undertows. Local media report that rough seas and invisible currents quickly overwhelmed the boys. The father jumped in without hesitation, but soon found himself struggling to stay afloat.
All three were eventually recovered from the water by emergency services, unconscious and in cardiac arrest. Despite prolonged efforts to revive the children, both were declared dead at the scene.
Desperate rescue as witnesses look on
Paramedics from Catalonia’s emergency medical service (SEM) arrived swiftly, dispatching seven units and a psychological support team to the scene. Firefighters, police officers from Salou and the Mossos d’Esquadra, and bystanders joined the rescue effort.
The operation was harrowing. One of the boys had been dragged by the current toward sharp rocks. This made it difficult for divers and rescue workers to reach him. The other child received immediate treatment on the beach. However, despite nearly an hour of resuscitation, neither boy could be saved. Their father remains in hospital, having been successfully revived.
Earlier drowning the same day highlights growing risk
Shockingly, the double drowning came just hours after another fatal incident nearby. A 54-year-old German tourist drowned while swimming off the beach at Vilafortuny, just a few kilometres from Salou. With these three deaths, the number of beach drownings on the Costa Daurada this summer now stands at six — matching the total for the entire 2024 season. Province-wide, at least 13 lives have been lost to the sea so far in 2025.
Warnings too late for some
Civil protection authorities in Catalonia have issued renewed appeals for beachgoers to exercise extreme caution, particularly amid hot weather and overcrowded beaches. Their advice includes never leaving children unattended in the water, swimming only in supervised areas, and always heeding lifeguards’ warnings and flag systems. Sudden immersion in cold water, especially after sun exposure, is also flagged as a major risk, particularly for older swimmers.
The tragedy in Salou serves as a devastating reminder of how swiftly a summer day at the beach can turn fatal. For one British family, the sun-drenched Spanish holiday they had looked forward to ended in grief beyond words.
Rising toll on Catalonia’s beaches
With fatalities already surpassing last year’s figures in some areas, concerns are growing over beach safety in Catalonia. Civil protection agencies and local councils are now under pressure to improve public awareness, enforce red flag restrictions more strictly, and ensure lifeguards are present at all monitored beaches.
For visitors planning to enjoy Spain’s coastline this summer, the message is clear: beautiful as they are, these waters can be deadly — and caution is not optional.
Sources: Diari, El País, govern.cat