Fifteen people have drowned in the Canary Islands so far this year

Fifteen people have died from drowning in the Canary Islands during the first three months of 2023, four fewer than in the same period of last year, according to a report from the Association for the Prevention of Accidents in the Canary Islands, 1500km of Coast, named after the length of the coastline around the islands.

The report shows that most died when there were warnings for adverse sea conditions or red flags on beaches and bathing areas, where people have ignored the warnings and have chosen to go into the sea anyway.

In addition to the 15 that have lost their lives another 20 are added who have been injured: one critically, four serious, ten moderately, three light, and two rescued unharmed.

Of the total deaths, 4 were foreigners (from Germany, the UK, Ireland, and Denmark), two were Spaniards and 9 victims whose nationality wasn’t made public.

53% of the deceased (8) were over 60 years of age, and 47% were under 60. By sex, 73% (11) of the fatalities were men, while 20% (3) were women. The sex of one has not been revealed.

By activity, 53% (8) of the deceased were bathers, while 20% were divers (3), 7% aquatic sportsmen (1), and three of them not determined.

The deaths were registered in Gran Canaria (7), Tenerife (3), Fuerteventura (2), Lanzarote (2), and La Gomera (1), while in La Palma, El Hierro and La Graciosa there haven’t been any fatal drowning so far this year.

In the sea by beaches is the place with the highest accident rate, accounting for 50% of the cases, followed by ports and coastal areas (36%), natural pools (11%), and swimming pools (3%).