Racó de l'Albir Beach Tests Lifeguards with Drill

In Spain, a person drowns every ten hours. This was the grim statistic for June, according to figures released by the Spanish Federation of Rescue and Lifesaving (FESS), marking it as the deadliest month in the past decade.

In total, 73 individuals lost their lives in seas, rivers, reservoirs, or pools across the nation, bringing the 2025 total to 211. This figure was reached even before the peak tourist season began on our beaches.

In the Valencian Community, June saw nine fatalities, adding up to 17 deaths in the region this year. The start of school holidays has also led to a worrying increase in child drownings. In June alone, ten children drowned, accounting for half of the year's total, although the age group with the highest fatalities remains those aged 45 to 74, with 64 deaths.

Regarding the type of aquatic environments where drownings occurred in June, most happened at beaches, claiming 44 lives. Eight people died in rivers, the same number in pools, and the remaining 13 in other aquatic settings.

One of the most striking data points from the FESS report highlights the crucial role of rescue and lifeguard services. Of the 73 recorded cases, 36 occurred without active lifeguard surveillance, while in 31 cases, such services were not applicable due to the environment. In only six instances were lifeguards present.

In light of these statistics, and just days into July, one of the most holiday-centric months in Europe, the town council of l'Alfàs del Pi tested the response capabilities of the rescue team at Racó de l'Albir beach with a drill conducted this past Thursday.

This drill began at a nearby cove in the Serra Gelada Natural Park, involving a rescue supported by a Red Cross lifeboat for rapid transport to Albir beach. Onshore, a tent was set up for medical care, where CPR techniques were practiced, ensuring a comprehensive response to various emergency scenarios. The drill involved about ten participants, led by the coordinator of the Albir beach rescue service, Alan Bernabeu Dalli.

The exercise demonstrated that current protocols are adequate for handling beach emergencies. However, technicians will review every detail of the exercise to implement improvements if necessary.

"Drills like this provide excellent training for emergency personnel, ensuring they are prepared to handle any contingency," stated the town's beach councillor, Luis Miguel Morant.