Two British brothers, aged 11 and 13, tragically drowned off Llarga beach in Catalonia, Spain, on Tuesday evening.
Despite their father’s brave attempt to rescue them, the boys were overwhelmed by strong currents and could not be saved.
The father, who also entered the water, had to be rescued himself and survived the incident.
Llarga beach, a popular summer destination on Spain’s Northeastern Mediterranean coast, known for its mostly sandy shoreline and occasional rocky outcrops.
A yellow warning flag was hoisted at the beach, signaling hazardous conditions and advising swimmers to exercise caution due to choppy waters.
Emergency responders quickly arrived at the scene, but unfortunately, the boys couldn’t be saved.
Seven units from the Medical Emergency System, local police, and fire services were involved in the rescue efforts
A team of psychologists has been assigned to assist the grieving family, who were staying at a nearby hotel.
Authorities have not released the names of the victims, and police are not treating the incident as a criminal matter.
The incident highlighted the importance of adhering to posted warnings and exercising caution when conditions are unfavourable.
Yellow flags indicate that swimming is allowed but caution is advised, while red flags signify that bathing is prohibited.
The incident brings the number of beach-related deaths in Catalonia to 16 since mid-June, five more than during the same period last year.
Across Spain, over 700 people drowned in pools and coastal waters in 2023, marking the second-highest toll in a decade.
