Tenerife has recorded the highest number of deaths from drowning across the Canary Islands, with 25 people losing their lives in 2024, according to the latest edition of the Aquatic Accident Map, now in its ninth year.
Compiled by the association Canarias, 1.500 Kilómetros de Costa, the report highlights a troubling increase in fatalities and accidents in coastal waters, natural pools, and beaches across the island.
In addition to the 25 fatalities, one more than the previous year, 43 people were injured to varying degrees, and seven required rescuing after finding themselves in distress in the waters around Tenerife. Incidents were reported across 46 bathing areas in 18 of the island’s 31 municipalities, with Santa Cruz and Arona registering the highest number of deaths, four in each locality.
In the capital, fatalities occurred at the beaches of Las Teresitas (two) and Almáciga (two). In Arona, deaths were recorded at La Arenita, La Ballena, and Las Vistas beaches, as well as one diver whose precise location was not detailed. Santiago del Teide, Granadilla de Abona, La Laguna, and El Rosario each recorded two fatalities.
Specifically, deaths in Granadilla happened at El Cabezo and La Tejita beaches, while Santiago del Teide saw fatal accidents in the natural pools of Los Gigantes and the Isla Cangrejo pool.
The notorious Tancón pool, where swimming is prohibited due to its extreme danger, recorded no deaths last year but did see two injuries. In total, seven injuries and one rescue occurred along Santiago del Teide’s coastline.
In El Rosario, two people drowned in the waters off Bocacangrejo, while La Laguna reported two fatalities at the Bajamar and Punta del Hidalgo natural pools.
The Aquatic Accident Map, developed by Sebastián Quintana, president of Canarias, 1.500 Km de Costa, shows that across the archipelago, 186 incidents were recorded in 124 coastal or pool locations across 47 of the Canary Islands’ 88 municipalities. These incidents resulted in 72 deaths, nine critical injuries, 15 serious, 52 moderate, 14 minor injuries, and 24 rescues without injury.
Analysis of the incidents reveals that 67% of those who died were swimmers. Other affected groups included boat passengers and people who fell into the water (14%), divers (8%), fishermen (7%), and water sports participants (4%).
Notably, 62% of those who lost their lives were foreign nationals from seven different countries. Beaches were the most dangerous setting, accounting for 52% of fatalities, followed by ports and general coastal areas (25%), natural pools (14%), and swimming pools (9%).
The Aquatic Accident Map of the Canary Islands, combined with a multilingual awareness campaign featuring 16 televised prevention messages, is regarded as a pioneering safety initiative in both Spain and the EU. The campaign is shared in hotels and universities across several countries and is backed by official data from emergency services including 112 Canarias, the Guardia Civil, Maritime Rescue, the Canary Emergency Service, Local Police, and other public safety institutions.
