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Spain is heading towards one of its darkest years on record for drownings, with 441 people losing their lives so far in 2025, according to the latest update from the Royal Spanish Lifesaving and Rescue Federation (RFESS). This already places the year among the worst since the National Drowning Report began in 2015, surpassing the 433 deaths recorded in 2017 and now edging closer to the 464 registered in 2024.

 

These figures land hard, especially after a summer marked by tragic cases, including the late-night beach accident in Benidorm involving a British holidaymaker and the heartbreaking drowning of two young brothers in Salou in July. Another British tourist also died in a Mallorca hotel pool that same month, underlining just how quickly these situations can turn fatal, even in familiar settings.

 

November’s data brought a slight reprieve, although not enough to shift the national pattern. Thirteen drowning deaths were recorded last month, seven of them in the Canary Islands, making it one of the least deadly Novembers in recent years. Only 2021 recorded fewer, with eleven fatalities.

 

The profile of the victims has remained tragically consistent. More than 82 percent of those who drowned were men, and the majority were Spanish nationals. Most were over the age of 45. Beaches continue to be the most dangerous locations, accounting for just over half of all deaths, and worryingly, almost nine in ten occurred where no lifeguard service was present at the time.

 

Regionally, several coastal areas stand out. Andalucía leads with 74 deaths, followed by the Canary Islands with 67 and the Valencian Community with 62. Catalonia and Galicia also report high figures, with 50 and 47 respectively. These regions typically attract large numbers of visitors and residents who are active around the water year-round. Further inland, Castilla y León registered 31 deaths, while the Balearic Islands reported 26.

 

At the lower end of the scale, communities such as Aragón, Madrid, Navarre and La Rioja have each recorded fewer than ten drownings this year. Ceuta remains the only region with no recorded drowning deaths in 2025.

 

The RFESS says the data reflects a clear reality: water safety remains an ongoing challenge, not just during the summer season. As one spokesperson reminded the public, “drowning can happen in seconds and in complete silence.” It is a message that becomes more urgent with each yearly report, especially as Spain approaches the end of what is now one of its deadliest years in a decade.

 

 

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