Diecinueve fallecidos por ahogamiento en Canarias en 2025, incluidos dos menores
A total of nineteen people have lost their lives due to drowning in the Canary Islands, including two minors, from January to April 2025, one less than in the same period of the previous year 2024 (20), according to the results of a statistical study conducted by the Association for the Prevention of Accidents in the Aquatic Environment ‘Canarias, 1500 Km of Coast.’
In a statement, the Association details that in the month of April, a total of 9 individuals were affected by accidents in aquatic spaces of the Archipelago: five fatalities, 1 swimmer in critical condition, 1 in serious condition, and 2 with moderate injuries.
In addition to the 19 deaths, during these four months, there have been 4 swimmers in critical condition; 3 in serious condition, 15 with moderate injuries; 6 with mild injuries, and 2 individuals rescued unharmed: a total of 49 affected individuals.
So far this year, two minors have lost their lives by drowning in different aquatic environments of the Islands: the young Arek, missing on the north coast of Tenerife and whose body has not yet been located, and Rebeca, the two-year-old who perished from the ‘invisible drowning’ syndrome in a water park in the south of Gran Canaria.
Additionally, 37% of the deceased (7) were over 60 years old, the same proportion as (7) adult bathers (37%). The remaining 16% corresponds to 3 bathers of unknown age.
By nationality, 7 of the deceased until April were foreigners: Poles (2); Italian (1); British (1); foreigners without specified nationality (3); Spaniards (2); and victims of unknown nationality (10). 74% of the water-related deaths were men (14). 26% were women (5).
According to the activity they were engaged in, 68% of the drowned individuals were bathers (13); 21% were victims with unspecified activity (4); and 11% were fishermen (2).
Gran Canaria is the island that had the highest number of deaths in aquatic spaces from January to April this year: 7 individuals; followed by Tenerife (6); La Palma and La Gomera (2 each); Fuerteventura and Lanzarote (1 each). El Hierro and La Graciosa did not record any deaths.
Beaches were the environment with the highest mortality rate, accounting for 39% of the cases; ports and coastal areas (31%); natural pools (26%); and to a lesser extent, swimming pools (4%). 63% of drowning deaths occurred in the afternoon; 21% in the morning; and 16%, 3 of them, were not specified.
LA FALTA DE VIGILANCIA
68% of the fatal drownings, as well as 61% of the total affected individuals registered on our coasts since the beginning of the year, occurred during pre-alerts and alerts activated by the Government of the Canary Islands due to adverse coastal phenomena, indicating that «imprudence» remains the main cause of these accident figures.
On the other hand, it has been highlighted that the lack of supervision by responsible adults leads to 90% of aquatic accidents involving minors.
For this reason, the Association ‘Canarias, 1500 Km of Coast’ emphasizes:
1) If you see a red flag or rough sea conditions, do not enter the water.
2) When going to the beach or pool with children, always enter the water with them.
3) Do not go to beaches without lifeguard service.
4) Respect the signs and instructions from the lifeguards.
5) If you see someone in distress in the sea, immediately call 112.
The study has been conducted based on data obtained from official sources related to Emergency services, mainly 112 Canarias, Guardia Civil, Policía Nacional, Salvamento Marítimo, Bomberos, and Protección Civil.
The initiative, sponsored by the Cabildo de Gran Canaria, the Elder Museum of Science and Technology, has the collaboration of the Consejería de Política Territorial, Cohesión Territorial y Aguas del Gobierno de Canarias, the Tourism and City of Sea departments of the Las Palmas de Gran Canaria City Council, and Binter.
