A middle-aged man drowned on Saturday morning at Sant Miquel beach in Barcelona's popular Barceloneta neighbourhood. This incident marks the third fatality on Catalan beaches in a single day, prompting renewed safety warnings.
Emergency services received the alert at 06:59, outside the designated lifeguard hours. Lifeguard services at Sant Miquel beach operate from 10:00 to 20:00 daily. Four ambulances from the Sistema d'Emergències Mèdiques (SEM), along with patrols from the Mossos d'Esquadra and Guàrdia Urbana de Barcelona, responded to the scene. The Guàrdia Urbana arrived first.
Paramedics could not save the man, who was not carrying identification. The Mossos d'Esquadra have opened an investigation into the death. They found no signs of criminality on the body. This drowning is the third fatal incident on Catalan beaches since the bathing season began on 15 June.
Recent Drowning Incidents Across Catalonia
This latest death follows two other tragic incidents reported on Friday. A 12-year-old boy died at l'Arrabassada beach in Tarragona. Two other minors became critically ill after swimming in a rocky area there. One of these, a 13-year-old boy, died in hospital on Saturday morning. The other 13-year-old remains in a very serious condition at Hospital Joan XXIII in Tarragona.
Authorities Issue Urgent Beach Safety Warnings
Protecció Civil de la Generalitat urged extreme caution at beaches, swimming pools, and inland waters this summer. They specifically highlighted the importance of supervising children closely. Sant Miquel beach is a busy coastal area, popular with both residents and tourists in Barceloneta. These warnings are critical for public safety. Authorities advise immediately alerting lifeguards or calling the emergency number 112 if someone appears unwell or struggles in the water. This quick action can help emergency services respond rapidly.
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Originally published by La Vanguardia Barcelona. Read original article.
