Cliff Notes
- Two British boys, aged 11 and 13, drowned at Llarga beach in Salou, Catalonia, after encountering difficulties in high tide.
- Their father, who entered the water with them, was rescued and resuscitated after CPR; emergency services were called shortly after the incident.
- This tragedy marks the 16th drowning on Catalan beaches this summer, with a yellow flag indicating caution due to potential hazards at the time.
Two British boys, 11 and 13, drown off Catalan coast, Spanish officials say | UK News
Breaking News: Two British boys, aged 11 and 13, have drowned in eastern Spain.
The Spanish General Directorate of Civil Protection said in a statement that the two boys died on Tuesday evening after getting into difficulty off Llarga beach in Salou, Tarragones, Catalonia.
Their father had entered the water with them and was rescued, it added.
Catalan police said there was a yellow flag – meaning swimming is permitted but with caution due to potential hazards – at the time the children went into the sea.
They added that it appeared the boys had difficulty getting back to the beach as they struggled with the high tide in a rocky part of the coastline.
Officers also said the father was resuscitated after receiving CPR for several minutes and that the family was staying in a hotel just in front of Llarga beach.
The General Directorate of Civil Protection added in its statement that emergency services were called to the area at 8.47pm.
Seven ground units from the Medical Emergency System (SEM) were involved in the response.
It brings the number of deaths on Catalan beaches this summer to 16, the directorate added.
The Salou Local Police, the Mossos d’Esquadra regional police force and the Generalitat Fire Department also responded to the incident.
A spokesperson for the Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Office said: “We are supporting the family of two British children who have died in Spain and are in contact with the local authorities.”