‘Alarming’ figures in the Canary Islands: More deaths from drowning than road accidents
The Canary Islands Government has launched a major public awareness campaign following a concerning rise in deaths from drowning across the archipelago, which now surpasses fatalities from road accidents.
According to the latest Map of Aquatic Accidents in the Canary Islands, published by the safety observatory Canarias, 1,500 km of coast, a total of 72 people drowned in 2024, compared to 39 deaths from road traffic incidents during the same period.
Already in the first half of 2025, there have been 29 drowning deaths recorded in coastal and pools, with road deaths currently at 36, a stark warning as the peak summer season begins.
Tourists are at the most risk
The regional government has emphasised that foreign nationals account for over 60% of drowning victims, with most incidents involving adult swimmers in the late afternoon and in unsupervised areas.
The main cause? Recklessness and ignoring warnings, with 70% of drownings occurring during pre-alert or active weather warnings issued by the General Directorate of Emergencies.
“You have a plan, but the sea has its own”
To combat this worrying trend, the Canary Islands Government has launched a multi-language safety campaign under the slogan: “You have a plan, but the sea has its own.”
The campaign aims to restore respect for the sea and promote safer swimming habits. It will run until the end of September and includes TV and radio ads, social media content, airport signage, and informational posters in Spanish, English, and German.
Passengers arriving at Canary Islands airports will be met with these safety messages immediately upon landing, a strategic effort to inform tourists at the earliest opportunity.
Government and experts call for vigilance
The campaign was unveiled at the CECOES emergency coordination centre in Las Palmas de Gran Canaria by Manuel Miranda, Regional Minister for Territorial Policy, along with Sebastián Quintana, head of the observatory "Canarias, 1,500 km de costa", and Eduardo Blasco, a world champion lifeguard and international rescue volunteer.
“Last year, our coasts and swimming pools claimed more lives than our roads,” Miranda warned. “We must restore respect for the sea.”
He urged residents and visitors alike to:
- Stay informed about sea conditions, tides, waves, and currents
- Respect beach flag warnings
- Follow all lifeguard instructions
- Use only supervised bathing areas
Quintana echoed the sentiment, stating: “This campaign is vital to tackle the high number of fatal aquatic accidents we continue to see every year in the Canary Islands.”
For tourists planning beach days or water activities, local authorities strongly advise checking official alerts and beach conditions each morning, and never underestimating the power of the ocean, even on calm-looking days.
Stay safe, stay informed, and enjoy the islands responsibly.
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