Overview

• The Real Federación Española de Salvamento y Socorrismo reports 368 fatalities from January to August, including 65 in August, with 274 deaths during May through August—or roughly one every 11 hours.
• Beaches account for the largest share of incidents with 183 deaths, followed by 71 in rivers, 45 in pools and 69 in other aquatic settings.
• Andalusia leads the national tally with 66 deaths to August, while Málaga province records 17 fatalities, nearly triple its 2023 figure and a new provincial high.
• Victims are predominantly men, with the 65–74 age group most affected, and the federation reiterates the need for aquatic education starting in schools.
• Rescue groups call for expanded supervised zones, upgraded lifeguard staffing and training, and stronger municipal oversight of private service contractors.