A tragic string of drownings along the Costa Blanca has claimed the lives of five elderly men in just four days.
The series of incidents took place in Guardamar, Altea, La Vila Joiosa, Dania, and Benissa, and all but one of the fatalities happened in the sea, with victims aged between 59 and 86.
The deaths occurred during the hottest few days of the year so far, when the country was experiencing a crippling heatwave.
The latest drowning occurred Tuesday morning in the cove of l’Advocat in Benissa, where an 82-year-old man died after reportedly suffering a cardiac arrest while snorkeling.
The secluded cove is unmonitored, but lifeguards from nearby beaches rushed to the scene along with local police, firefighters, civil protection medics, and a medical helicopter.
Despite their efforts, resuscitation attempts were unsuccessful.
The grim sequence began on Saturday at Moncayo beach in Guardamar, where a 59-year-old Russian man was found floating lifelessly in the water.
Another swimmer discovered the body and alerted emergency services. Medics from SAMU attempted to revive him, but he was pronounced dead at the scene.
An autopsy is being conducted at the Alicante Institute of Legal Medicine.
On Sunday morning, a 68-year-old Spanish man died while snorkeling off Campomanes beach in Altea. Beachgoers spotted his body in the water and pulled him ashore, but paramedics could not revive him.
Later that day, a 61-year-old Ukrainian man was found dead in a communal swimming pool on Calle Marinada in La Vila Joiosa. The Guardia Civil is handling the case, and while no signs of violence were found, an investigation is ongoing.
On Monday afternoon, emergency services were called to Setla-Mirarrosa beach in Denia around 6pm.
An 86-year-old man had been pulled unconscious from the sea. Despite advanced CPR and resuscitation efforts by SAMU, the man did not respond and was declared dead at the scene.
The incidents underscore the increased risk elderly individuals face when bathing or engaging in water activities during the summer months, especially in areas without surveillance.
Authorities routinely urge caution, particularly during heat waves and in unmonitored zones like rocky coves.
