A couple was dramatically rescued by lifeguards on Friday morning after being swept into dangerous waters off Las Canteras Beach in Gran Canaria. The incident highlights a growing concern across the Canary Islands, where nearly 50 people have already been involved in water-related emergencies this year.
According to newly released figures, 19 people have drowned in the archipelago between January and April 2025, a figure only slightly below the 20 fatalities recorded during the same period last year. April alone claimed five lives in the water, and left one person critically injured, another seriously hurt, and two with moderate injuries.
Alongside the 19 deaths, emergency services have reported four people critically injured, three with serious injuries, 15 moderate cases, six minor injuries, and two rescues in which no harm was sustained.
The statistics reveal that the most vulnerable groups continue to be the hardest hit. Among the victims are two children: a 15-year-old boy named Arek who disappeared off the coast of Tenerife and remains missing, and two-year-old Rebeca, who died following what authorities described as an “invisible drowning” at a water park in Mogan, southern Gran Canaria.
The elderly are also disproportionately affected, with 37% of the deceased over the age of 60. That same percentage applies to adults under 60, while the age of three victims remains unknown.
The data also highlights a recurring pattern in terms of gender and nationality. Men made up 74% of the fatalities. Seven of the victims were foreigners, including individuals from Poland, Italy and the United Kingdom, two were Spanish, and the nationalities of ten others have not yet been confirmed.
Gran Canaria and Tenerife remain the most affected islands, recording seven and six deaths respectively. La Palma and La Gomera have reported two fatalities each, while Fuerteventura and Lanzarote have seen one drowning each. El Hierro and La Graciosa have not yet reported any deaths this year.
Most of the victims were swimmers (68%), fishermen accounted for 11% of the deaths, while in 21% of cases, the activity being carried out at the time of the incident was not specified. Beaches proved to be the most hazardous locations, responsible for 39% of fatalities, followed by coastal or harbour areas (31%) and natural pools (26%). Public/hotel swimming pools accounted for 4% of cases.
Authorities have also identified afternoons as the most dangerous time for drowning incidents, with 63% occurring during that period. Just over 20% of cases happened in the morning, and the rest at unspecified times.
As the summer season approaches, emergency services are urging residents and tourists to remain vigilant near water. The regional government has not yet announced any new safety measures, but there are growing calls for increased public awareness and improved signage in high-risk areas.
