Consternation in Tarragona over the death of the three children drowned on Arrabassada beach

BarcelonaA dismayed Tarragona remembered this Sunday the three children aged 12 and 13 who drowned in an accident at Arrabassada beach. The President of the Generalitat, Salvador Illa, and the municipal corporation led by the mayor, Rubén Viñuelas, headed the institutional representation in an emotional minute of silence in which parents and siblings of the victims received the warmth and support of the citizens. The event, held in Plaça de la Font, in front of the City Hall, ended with applause, amidst tears and hugs from those present.

Hours before the tribute, the death of the third child involved in the accident was confirmed. The 13-year-old child was taken to Joan XXIII Hospital after being rescued from the water and stabilized thanks to cardiopulmonary resuscitation maneuvers. At the same center, another child died on Saturday in the same circumstances, while on Friday itself, the death of another 12-year-old minor was certified, who could no longer be resuscitated once the emergency teams managed to get him out of the water.

The three victims were part of a group of six pre-teens who were on a rocky area known as Cova del Gos on Friday afternoon, when sea currents dragged them out to sea. Three of the children were able to get out of the water and alert the lifeguards, but the other three are the ones who have died this weekend.

Three days of mourning

"These are moments of great pain and consternation. This tragic event has cut short the lives of these young people, their families and friends. From the City Council we want to accompany them and send them all our support. There are no words for an event like this," states Viñuales. Before the minute of silence, President Illa and the mayor held a meeting with the children's families and, in public, stood by their side, offering them tokens of support.

Among those attending the minute of silence were other children, schoolmates and members of CD La Floresta from the city where the boy who died on Friday, 12-year-old Maikel, played, who was captain of his team.

The City Council has decreed three days of mourning in Tarragona. During this period, the city has suspended all institutional activity and is keeping the official flags at half-mast as a sign of respect for the victims.