Two British brothers have drowned in front of their father on a beach in Spain.
The boys, aged 11 and 13, got into difficulty at sea off Llarga Beach in Salou, Tarragona yesterday evening.
Their dad went into the sea with them and was rescued alive.
Both of the boys had died by the time emergency help arrived and efforts to save them were unsuccessful.
The British family are understood to be staying at a nearby hotel.
The deaths mark the 15th and 16th fatalities on beaches in Catalan since the beginning of the summer season began on June 15.
(Picture: Shutterstock / sdecoret)
Catalonia’s Civil Protection said in a statement: ‘Two brothers, of British nationality and aged 11 and 13, drowned this evening on the Llarga beach in Salou (Tarragona).
‘The father of the minors, who had also entered the water, was rescued alive.
‘These are the 15th and 16th fatalities on Catalan beaches since the summer campaign officially began on June 15, a figure that already exceeds by five those registered in the same period last summer (11).
‘The emergency telephone number 112 received the warning at 8.47pm. Seven land units of the Medical Emergency System (SEM) intervened in the incident, as well as a team of psychologists activated by the same service to assist the relatives.”
It added: ‘The Civil Protection of the Generalitat reminds us of the importance of taking extreme precautions on beaches, swimming pools and inland waters this summer.
‘If you notice that someone is unwell or has difficulties in the water, you should urgently notify the lifeguard service or call 112 to facilitate their rapid action.’
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