Beachgoers and emergency services unable to save life of man pulled from the sea in Torrevieja

The death of a 70-year-old man adds to already alarming figures for start of 2025

Playa del Cura

A man died while swimming at a beach in Torrevieja on Tuesday June 10. According to the emergency services, the deceased was 70 years old and had been in the sea at Playa del Cura in the town centre.

The ‘112’ emergency call was made at about 1pm, with the caller requesting help to treat a man who had been pulled unconscious from the water.

Other beachgoers carried out a cardiac massage on the man, following instructions they were given over the telephone from the emergency services centre, while they were waiting for medical assistance to arrive.

Two ambulances were sent, one with an emergency medical team (SAMU) and the other for basic life support (SVB).

Upon their arrival, the medics tried advanced cardiopulmonary resuscitation and other recovery techniques but there was no response and eventually they certified that the man had died. An autopsy will be carried out to confirm the exact cause of his death.

Alarming death toll for 2025 so far

The summer has not even started yet and more than 150 people have already died in spaces by the water – such as beaches, rivers or swimming pools – in Spain so far this year, according to the latest figures from the data management system for incidents in the water (SIFA).

There were over 470 drownings in Spain in 2024, the second worst figure over the last decade.

The Spanish Red Cross has issued advice on what to do if you see someone drowning in the sea.

Image: Ayuntamiento de Torrevieja