A tragic incident in Spain has claimed the lives of a British brother and sister, aged eleven and thirteen, who drowned at Llarga beach in Salou. Emergency services responded on Tuesday evening, but the children could not be saved despite extensive rescue efforts. Their father, who was also pulled from the water, survived but was reported to be in a state of exhaustion after swallowing a significant amount of sea water.

Local police chief, José Luis Gargallo, highlighted the rough sea conditions at the time, stating that these were unusual for the typically calm area. Though swimming is generally safe at Llarga beach, the local authorities had issued a yellow flag, indicating that caution was advised for swimmers. Tragically, lifeguards had finished their shift shortly before the emergency call came in.

Mr Gargallo added that the family had been staying at a nearby hotel, and that a team of psychologists has been dispatched to offer support to the grieving relatives. Following the tragic event, a minute’s silence was held outside the town hall, as the local community expressed its sorrow.

This incident is part of a concerning trend, with officials reporting a total of sixteen fatalities along Catalan beaches since the start of the summer season. The UK Foreign Office has confirmed that they are supporting the family and are in contact with local authorities regarding the incident.