The third minor who was in critical condition following the accident at Tarragona's L'Arrabassada beach has died. The confirmation came from the President of the Generalitat, Salvador Illa, who expressed he was "deeply shocked" by the news. Illa conveyed his support to the families and the CD La Floresta club, also thanking the work of medical and emergency professionals.
The incident has claimed the lives of three adolescents. On Friday, the death of one of the boys, aged 12, was reported. On Saturday morning, it was announced that another minor, aged 13, had also succumbed to his injuries. With the death of the third young person, also 13 years old and admitted to Joan XXIII Hospital, the death toll rises to three.
The Tarragona City Council has declared three days of official mourning, extending until Monday. As a sign of respect, a minute of silence will be held this Sunday at 12:00 PM at the Palau Municipal, in plaça de la Font. The football club CD La Floresta has also paid tribute to two of the deceased minors, one of whom was part of the team and the other had played for them previously, by placing a flag with a black mourning band on the pitch.
The accident occurred when a group of six young people were swimming in the Cova del Gos area, marked with a yellow flag. Despite difficulties due to the rough sea, three of the minors managed to get out of the water. The other three had to be rescued in critical condition. The Emergency Medical System (SEM) deployed six ambulances and a medicalized helicopter. The Firefighters, Mossos d'Esquadra, Red Cross, and Salvament Marítim also responded. The rocky area, located between L'Arrabassada and El Miracle beaches, was outside the lifeguards' coverage.
The Red Cross rescue services located two of the victims and brought them ashore. One was rescued by boat, but rough sea conditions prevented approaching the rocks for the second, forcing lifeguards to jump into the water in a high-risk area. The third victim was rescued by the Salvament Marítim helicopter. Two of the youths, aged 13, regained vital signs and were transported to Joan XXIII Hospital in critical condition, while efforts to save the 12-year-old minor were unsuccessful.
