A British tourist has been arrested after allegedly trying to drown a woman in the sea before attacking a five-year-old boy on a busy beach in Benidorm.
The 44-year-old man is being investigated on suspicion of attempted murder, assault and making threats following the shocking incident on Poniente beach on Tuesday evening.
According to local reports, the attacks unfolded shortly after 6pm as families and holidaymakers enjoyed an afternoon by the sea on the Costa Blanca.
The suspect allegedly entered the water where a 34-year-old Norwegian woman was swimming with her boyfriend.
Without warning or any apparent provocation, he is accused of grabbing the woman by the neck and forcing her head underwater.
The woman’s partner reportedly fought with the attacker before managing to free her from his grip.
After leaving the water, the suspect allegedly turned his attention to a five-year-old Spanish boy who was playing on the sand nearby.
Witnesses claim he grabbed the child by the neck and pushed his face into the sand, holding him down until the boy’s mother and several beachgoers rushed to help.
A lifeguard supervisor who happened to be at the scene intervened and restrained the suspect until police arrived.
Officers from Benidorm’s beach patrol quickly reached the area and arrested the man, who was still being held by the lifeguard.
The situation reportedly remained volatile after the arrest. Local media reports said the suspect continued kicking and struggling inside the police vehicle and remained highly agitated after being transferred to the Policia Nacional station in Benidorm.
While being held in a cell, he allegedly attempted to take his own life using a blanket provided to detainees.
Officers noticed what was happening and intervened immediately, preventing him from harming himself.
The man was subsequently transferred to the Hospital de la Vila Joiosa, where he remains under medical supervision and police guard.
Authorities have not disclosed whether he may have been suffering from a mental health episode or was under the influence of drugs or alcohol at the time of the attacks.
The investigation is ongoing, with the case now before a court in Benidorm.
Neither the woman nor the child are believed to have suffered life-threatening injuries.
