The Canary Islands registers 27 deaths by drowning between January and June 2025, 13% less than in the same period of 2024, when there were 31.
In June, there were a total of twenty people affected with varying degrees of severity due to accidents in aquatic spaces of the islands: three fatalities, a swimmer in critical condition, two serious, four with moderate injuries, three minor and seven rescued unharmed.
In addition to the 27 people who lost their lives, in this first semester there are five swimmers in critical condition; six serious, nineteen of moderate severity; nine minor and thirteen people rescued unharmed: 79 people affected in coastal areas and aquatic facilities in the Canary Islands.
The monthly average of deaths by drowning in the archipelago remains at five people/month.
Six minors victims so far this year
In these six months, a total of six minors were registered as victims in aquatic accidents in different spaces of our CCAA, among them, three fatalities: 11% of the total number of people who lost their lives by drowning so far this year. In addition, one was registered in critical condition; one serious and one who could be rescued unharmed.
On the other hand, 33% of the deaths, nine were adult swimmers; 30%, eight were over 60 years old; 26% of them were victims of unknown age, seven.
Meanwhile, of the fatalities identified by nationality, eight were foreigners: two Polish; one Italian; two British; three foreigners without specified nationality; two Spaniards and 17 victims of unknown nationality.
By sex, men have suffered more fatal drownings (74%) than women (26%).
By activity, 59% of those drowned were swimmers (16); 22%, six victims without specified activity; 15% of these, four fishermen. 4%, one deceased classified as others (people who accidentally fall into the water from a dock, a cliff, a promenade or athletes such as paragliders, pilots, crew members of boats...etc)
Gran Canaria is the island that concentrated the most deaths in this period: ten people; Tenerife, nine; Lanzarote, La Palma and La Gomera, with two in each one. Fuerteventura and El Hierro, with (1 each). La Graciosa, zero.
The beaches continue to be the environment with the highest accident rate, with 48% of the cases; natural pools (24%); ports and coastal areas (23%); and swimming pools (5%).
67% of deaths by submersion took place in the afternoon; 22% in the morning; while 11% had no specified time.
Requests prudence and responsibility
From the Canary Islands Association, 1500 Km of Coast have requested "prudence, self-responsibility and preventive attitude in any aquatic space". In this way, they have recommended:
- Respect the signage, as well as the color of the flags on beaches
- Do not swim in unauthorized areas or when sea conditions advise against it
- Do not overestimate physical abilities
- Avoid risky practices, alcohol or drug use before entering the water
- Special attention to minors
This statistical analysis is prepared by the Association for the Prevention of Accidents in the Aquatic Environment Canary Islands, 1500 Km of Coast, from data obtained from official sources related to the field of Emergencies, mainly 112 Canary Islands, Civil Guard, National Police, Maritime Rescue, Firefighters and Civil Protection. An initiative sponsored by the Cabildo de Gran Canaria, the Elder Museum of Science and Technology, with the collaboration of the Ministry of Territorial Policy, Territorial Cohesion and Water of the Government of the Canary Islands, the Departments of Tourism and Sea City of the City Council of Las Palmas de Gran Canaria and Binter.