A married couple drowned this morning on the La Mata beach in Torrevieja, near the Torre del Embarcadero in the La Mata district. The deceased are a 56-year-old man and a 55-year-old woman, identified as Dutch nationals, according to local emergency authorities. (Citation: Generalitat Emergency Coordination Center CICU)
At approximately 1:40 pm, firefighters from the Consortium deployed a helicopter and units from the Torrevieja park to the beach because current conditions were suspected to pose a risk of trapping more swimmers. Six people had already entered the water to attempt rescues, and witnesses say the couple’s struggle drew others in. The husband, who appeared to have difficulty swimming, was said to be helped initially by his wife before both were pulled into the surf by the powerful waves. (Citation: Provincial Firefighters Consortium)
Health services dispatched two SAMU units and a Basic Life Support unit to the scene to provide urgent care. Early efforts stabilized the woman, but she subsequently died. The bodies were covered with sand as authorities prepared for the arrival of a funeral service and the judicial commission. A large police presence remained on site to secure the area. (Citation: local police)
Today, as on previous days, Torrevieja’s coastline faced rough sea conditions with strong easterly winds and choppy waves slamming the coastline and the cliff zones. Despite this, many beachgoers were still swimming along La Mata at midday, a stretch known for dangerous currents in eastern conditions and along other parts of the Torrevieja coast. (Citation: municipal safety records)
Torrevieja’s beaches have not had a lifeguard service since September 15 of last year. No warning device or flagged lifeguard flag has been deployed by municipal services to alert bathers to the maritime danger, even though a significant number of people visit the area and the sea conditions are clearly hazardous. Earlier today, residents of La Mata warned several municipal officials about the risk of keeping the beach open for swimming without lifeguards in the wake of the first storm of three months. The City Council acknowledges that the absence of a flag signals a lapse in the lifeguard service. In neighboring coastal towns, local police adjust flag status during the swimming season when lifeguards are unavailable. Flags are not present here. (Citations: city records, local safety advisories)
Levante storms have claimed lives along Vega Baja’s coast in recent years. In September of the previous year, two teenagers died in another very rough day at a Torrevieja bay. In August 2021, a Scandinavian couple drowned on beaches near Guardamar, extending the La Mata shore, under similar Levante conditions. (Citation: regional weather safety archives)
(Information is being prepared)