Spain Records 302 Drowning Deaths So Far in 2025

Spain is grappling with a tragic new record as 302 people have died from drowning in rivers, beaches, and pools between January and July 2025.

This is the highest number of fatalities since official statistics began in 2015. The data was confirmed by the Royal Spanish Federation of Rescue and Lifesaving.

According to 20 Minutos, July witnessed 92 death by drowning cases, making it the fourth deadliest month on record for water-related fatalities. 

Federation president Samuel Gómez Mayor described this summer as “catastrophic,” warning that “water doesn’t take vacations.”

Andalusia recorded the highest number of drownings with 52 deaths, followed by the Canary Islands and Valencia with 39 each, then Catalonia with 36 and Galicia with 34—a stark reflection of how widespread and severe the issue has become across Spain.

While most victims were Spanish men over the age of 45, officials have expressed growing alarm over the rise in drownings among minors and the elderly. 

Twenty-three children have drowned so far this year. Additionally, 30 people aged between 65 and 74 have died, and the number of drowning victims aged 18 to 44 has surged to 66, accounting for 22% of all deaths this year.

Beaches have been the most dangerous zones, with over half of the drownings happening in coastal areas, followed by swimming pools.

Spanish authorities are ramping up efforts to contain what they’re calling a public safety emergency, launching nationwide awareness campaigns and increasing lifeguard coverage wherever possible.

But for now, the numbers paint a grim picture: a deadly summer unfolding across Spain’s waters — silent, swift, and too often overlooked.