Spain is witnessing an alarming trend: by June 7, 2025, 138 people have already lost their lives in Spanish waters. This figure is almost identical to 2024, which was the second-worst year since statistics began in 2015. The typical victim profile – male, over 45 years old, and overestimating their abilities – remains consistent. Local authorities and rescue services are urgently appealing to bathers to exercise extreme caution to prevent further tragedies.
Drowning Deaths 2025: The Shocking Figures by June
The latest statistics from the Spanish Lifesaving Federation (RFESS), which publishes daily updates on its website, paint a grim picture. Most fatalities occurred between 12 PM and 2 PM. Regional hotspots include the Canary Islands (31 deaths), followed by Andalusia (27), Galicia (19), and Valencia (9). Among the victims, 106 were men and 32 were women, with the majority aged between 55 and 64. These numbers highlight the need for preventive measures and increased vigilance on Spain’s beaches and in its pools.
A Look Back: 2024 and the Sad Record Series
The year 2024 marked a grim peak with 471 recorded victims by year-end, surpassed only by the darkest year to date, 2017, with 481 fatalities. In 2024, 137 people drowned in Spain from January to May. Most victims in 2024 were registered in Andalusia (72), Galicia (64), Valencia, and the Canary Islands (63 each). Fatalities primarily concentrated between 4 PM and 6 PM. The high numbers in these regions are often attributed to their longer coastlines and high tourist numbers. A startling 85 percent of the victims were Spanish nationals, refuting the assumption that mostly tourists are affected.
Experts from the Global Sensos lifeguard training center point out that many deaths are linked to strong currents, dangerous waves, and sudden weather changes that can endanger even experienced swimmers. A lack of knowledge about how to react in water emergencies, such as rip currents, is identified as a major problem. The RFESS criticizes the absence of comprehensive public awareness campaigns, similar to those for traffic accident prevention. Another sad fact: in the event of drowning, insurance usually does not cover the incident.
The “Silent” Death in Water: An Underestimated Danger
The image of a drowning person wildly flailing and screaming for help is common but often inaccurate. Drowning is a silent death. A drowning person often remains vertical in the water, with uncontrolled arm and leg movements that give the impression of swimming without making progress. The head is often tilted back, eyes wide open or closed, while the nose and mouth repeatedly submerge. Instinctively, the arms are extended sideways to keep the body above water and gasp for air. Breathing takes precedence over speech.
When fluid is inhaled, the body triggers a laryngospasm – a protective reflex that prevents water from entering the lungs. This leads to cessation of breathing. Within one to two minutes, the person can become unconscious, and after three to five minutes, brain cells begin to die due to oxygen deprivation. Organs are damaged until death eventually occurs. It is not the amount of water in the lungs that determines survival, but the duration of oxygen deprivation. Even after a successful rescue, complications such as life-threatening pneumonia can occur.
First Aid in an Emergency: How to Save Lives
In an emergency, every second counts. Immediately call emergency services at 112. If possible, throw an object to the distressed person that they can hold onto. The rescuer should only enter the water if the situation, their physical condition, and abilities allow it. If so, approach the drowning person from behind, grasp them under the armpits, and swim to shore on their back. Exercise caution, as a panicked drowning person might cling to the rescuer and push them underwater in an attempt to gasp for air.
On land, if the person is breathing, place them in the recovery position. If they are not breathing, immediately begin resuscitation attempts: for adults, 30 chest compressions and two rescue breaths alternately; for children, 15 chest compressions and two rescue breaths.
Risk Groups and Underestimated Dangers
Men over 45 and young children are among the high-risk groups for drowning accidents. For adults, causes often include recklessness, overestimating their own abilities, overconfidence, and ignorance of water hazards, such as currents in the Mediterranean Sea in Spain. Alcohol and drug consumption also play a role. People with heart problems, high blood pressure, and diabetes are particularly vulnerable.
“Bathing Death”: A Different Mechanism
When older individuals suddenly submerge while swimming in the sea without a struggle, it is often referred to as a “bathing death,” which differs from death by drowning. In this case, cardiac arrest occurs, and the victim does not inhale water. Causes can be a stroke or heart attack occurring coincidentally, or a significant temperature difference between air and water, as is common in Spain during summer.
Those who enter cold water while overheated – for instance, after extensive sunbathing or physical exertion – risk a drastic increase in blood pressure and simultaneous constriction of blood vessels. This immense strain on the circulatory system can lead to collapse and momentary unconsciousness, particularly for individuals with pre-existing circulatory conditions, which can directly lead to drowning in water. Such extreme physical reactions can occur even in water temperatures of 25 degrees Celsius; in Spain, the average summer water temperature is around 21 degrees Celsius.
Cold water can also trigger a laryngospasm, preventing breathing, which can happen even to healthy individuals. Therefore, the recommendation never to enter the water while overheated and uncooled should be taken seriously. A painful belly flop, a full or empty stomach, and alcohol consumption can also cause circulatory shock. Eardrum perforations can cause dizziness and disorientation due to water entering the ear.
Special Caution with Children: The Silent Hero
Special caution is required with children, especially those under six years old. Often, a brief moment of inattention is enough, even if parents are nearby. The deceptive aspect: children have a different center of gravity and sink silently like a stone to the bottom, without resurfacing. Up to the age of 15 months, a child can drown in just ten centimeters of water if they fall face-first.
Up to three years of age, a child is unable to keep their face permanently above water because their head is disproportionately heavy compared to their body. Underwater, small children lose their orientation and cannot rescue themselves. Therefore, children should never be out of sight at the pool and beach, and the supervising person should never be more than an arm’s length away. Pools should be fenced, and a lifebuoy should always be ready.
A surprising aid in recognizing a child in distress in time is the color of their swimwear. The US organization Alive Solution for Water Safety found in experiments that white and light blue colors are almost invisible in water. Darker blues, greens, and light yellows also go unnoticed. Dark colors stand out from pool tiles but can easily be mistaken for floating leaves or shadows. Therefore, bright colors like pink or orange, ideally in neon shades, are recommended – especially important in the sea.
Safe Swimming in Spain: Important Tips and Flag Meanings
These tips may be well-known, but they remain no less important. Always follow the instructions of rescue personnel and respect bathing bans – they always have a valid reason. Only swim in designated areas supervised by lifeguards.
The flags on Spain’s beaches provide important information about bathing conditions:
- Green Flag: Safe bathing conditions.
- Yellow Flag: Caution when swimming.
- Red Flag: Swimming is prohibited.
- White Flag with Blue Jellyfish: Caution, jellyfish! (often accompanied by a yellow or red flag).
