The third minor injured on Tarragona's Arrabassada beach dies
The 13-year-old boy was critically injured in the hospital and the City Council has decreed three days of mourning
BarcelonaThe third minor who was in critical condition after the accident at Arrabassada beach in Tarragona has also died, as confirmed by the President of the Generalitat, Salvador Illa, who has expressed himself "deeply struck". "There are no words in these moments of pain. I want to convey my warmth and support to the families and friends of the boys, and to the entire CD La Floresta club," Illa expressed in a tweet. The president thanked the work of medical and emergency professionals.
Friday, shortly after the incident, the death of one of the adolescents, aged 12, who drowned was reported, and on Saturday morning it was announced that another minor, aged 13, had also not survived his injuries. In a message on X, the President of the Generalitat also conveyed his condolences to the victim's family and friends and expressed his recognition of the work of the Emergency Services professionals.
Also in a message on X, the President of the Generalitat also conveyed his condolences to the victim's family and friends and expressed his recognition of the work of the Emergency Services professionals.
With the death of this adolescent, also 13 years old, who was admitted to Joan XXIII Hospital, there are now three fatalities resulting from Friday's accident. The Tarragona City Council has declared three days of mourning. All three were players for the La Floresta sports club, which has paid a heartfelt tribute to the victims.
It has been a tragic 48 hours on Catalan beaches, with four fatalities. In a tragic start to the swimming season, a middle-aged man also drowned early Saturday morning at Sant Miquel beach in Barcelona, bringing the total number of fatalities to four in just 48 hours. The alert to the 112 emergency number was received around 7 a.m., when there was no lifeguard on duty.
Four ambulances from the Medical Emergency System and several patrols from the Mossos d'Esquadra and the Guàrdia Urbana de Barcelona were dispatched to the scene. The victim was undocumented and is the third death since the swimming season began in Catalonia.
Mourning in Tarragona
The Tarragona City Council has decreed three days of official mourning from this Saturday to Monday for the death of the three deceased minors. During this period, flags will fly at half-mast and official institutional events organized by the council are suspended. In addition, this Sunday at noon, a minute of silence will be held at the Municipal Palace, in Plaça de la Font, as a sign of mourning. The mayor of Tarragona, Rubén Viñuales, has lamented the "tragic" event and has conveyed "all warmth" to the families and friends of the victims.
The incident on Tarragona beach took place when a group of six minors were swimming 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, the beach had a yellow flag, which was later replaced by a red one. Apparently, the rocky area where the children were swimming, 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 transferred 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 close to him. Viñuales also conveyed support to the families 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 activated 6 ambulances and 1 medicalized helicopter to provide health assistance. The Firefighters, the Mossos d'Esquadra, who are investigating the incident, the Red Cross, and Maritime Rescue have also acted in the area.