The city of Tarragona remains in shock following the deaths of three teenagers, aged between 12 and 13, who drowned last weekend at Arrabassada beach. The youths were rescued from the water by emergency services, including Maritime Rescue boats and a medicalized helicopter, but despite resuscitation efforts, one died at the scene and the other two passed away in the hospital in the following days.
Despite the public outcry generated by this tragic event, people have once again been observed jumping from the rocks in this coastal area. The Tarragona City Council reminds the public that this practice is prohibited due to its high risk and is considering reinforcing safety measures on the cliffs. They are also planning to offer training to young people to raise awareness about the dangers of jumping into the sea.
“"The ideal is to raise awareness because you cannot put a barrier everywhere or a sign on every cliff."
The drowning of the three minors occurred on rocks located between Arrabassada beach and Fortí de la Reina. This stretch of coastline, although not featuring high cliffs, has points that some swimmers use to jump into the water. These jumps are prohibited and marked with several signs, and lifeguards are instructed to prevent them when detected.
Relatives and acquaintances of the deceased youths suggest that the minors did not jump from the rocks but were swept away by sea currents. However, images captured by the ACN agency hours after the triple drowning show young people, apparently minors, jumping from the same rocks, an area with prohibitive signs and access barriers.
This rocky spot, below Fortí de la Reina and near Miracle beach, was also the scene of a similar tragedy in March 2024, when a 15-year-old local resident and a 32-year-old German tourist died in similar circumstances.
