A 12-year-old boy dies and two others are in critical condition after drowning on a beach in Tarragona
The group of six minors has had problems getting out of the water, in an area where there was a yellow flag
BarcelonaA twelve-year-old boy died this Friday afternoon after drowning on Arrabassada beach in Tarragona. Two other children, thirteen years old, who were part of the same group, were rescued and taken in critical condition to the Joan XXIII Hospital in Tarragona. The events took place when a group of six minors were bathing in the Cova del Gos area and encountered difficulties getting out of the water. Three of the minors were able to get out of the sea on their own, while the other three had to be rescued and attended to. At the time of the accident, there was a yellow flag on the beach, which was later replaced by a red one. Apparently, the rocky area where the children were bathing, between Arrabassada beach and Miracle beach, was outside the coverage and sight of the lifeguards.
After receiving the alert around half past three, the Red Cross beach rescue service located two of the minors, who were taken to dry land. One of them was rescued by boat, but in the case of the second, the sea conditions prevented them from approaching the rocks, and the lifeguards had to jump into the water in an area with a risk of currents and undertow. The third victim was rescued by the Maritime Rescue helicopter.
Once on land, health personnel began resuscitation efforts, and two of the victims regained vital signs and were transferred by ambulance to the hospital. On the other hand, nothing could be done to save the life of the twelve-year-old boy. According to Civil Protection, this is the first death on the beaches since the bathing season began in Catalonia.
Shortly after the incident, the Tarragona City Council issued a statement in which the mayor, Rubén Viñuales, expressed his "deepest" condolences for the death of the minor, and conveyed "warmth and support" to the family, friends, and people around him. Viñuales also conveyed his support to the relatives of the two critical minors, wishing them "from the bottom of his heart" a speedy recovery. The council requested "maximum prudence and respect for the privacy" of the affected families.
The Medical Emergency System (SEM) has deployed 6 ambulances and 1 medicalized helicopter to provide healthcare assistance. The Firefighters, the Mossos d'Esquadra, who are investigating the incident, the Red Cross, and Maritime Rescue have also been active in the area.