A seventy-four-year-old man from Lithuania has tragically drowned at La Mata beach in Torrevieja on Tuesday afternoon. The incident occurred around eight o’clock in the evening when the bather, who was swimming with friends, began to struggle in the water. Lifeguards and local police aided in the rescue, bringing him to the shore, where resuscitation efforts commenced. Sadly, despite more than thirty minutes of attempts, he was not able to be revived.

Throughout the day, a yellow flag had been flying at La Mata beach, indicating the presence of strong waves. Many bathers continued to swim despite the conditions following a day of heavy winds, which had prompted a red flag on Monday. The man’s body was taken away by medical examiners after eleven fifteen in the evening.

This incident marks the fourth drowning on the beaches of Torrevieja this season, highlighting a troubling trend. Previously, a drowning occurred at Los Náugrafos beach on thirty-first May, followed by another incident on tenth June at Playa del Cura where a seventy-year-old man lost his life. A deceased male was also found in the coves of Torrevieja on seventh August.

Common factors in these drownings include the age of the victims, who are often over seventy years old. Unfortunately, many incidents occur outside of lifeguard hours, preventing immediate specialised assistance. Authorities continue to stress the importance of swimming within safe conditions and times, particularly for older bathers.