The Canary Islands Government is increasing funding for safety at beaches and bathing areas to €1.2 million, following a summer in which 19 people lost their lives in aquatic incidents across the archipelago.

An additional €983,612 has been approved for councils in municipalities with fewer than 20,000 inhabitants to help cover the cost of coastal safety measures. This comes on top of €250,000 already allocated in this year's budget.

The funding is intended to help smaller councils meet the costs associated with keeping beaches and other bathing areas safe, particularly where local authorities have fewer financial resources.

The Government says it is also working with the Canary Islands Federation of Municipalities on new regional regulations covering safety at bathing areas.

The investment comes against a concerning backdrop. During the summer, 19 people died in aquatic incidents in the Canary Islands.

Tenerife recorded the highest number, with six deaths, followed by Lanzarote with five, Fuerteventura with four, Gran Canaria with three and La Palma with one.

Across the summer as a whole, 78 people were involved in aquatic accidents. In addition to the fatalities, three people were treated in a critical condition and 17 suffered serious injuries.

More than 50 aquatic deaths have now been recorded across the Canary Islands during 2026.

A further €29,980 is being provided to the Canary Islands Lifeguards Association for projects designed to improve public awareness and training in water safety.

The latest figures provide another reminder of the dangers around the islands' coastline, particularly when adverse sea conditions are present. Four of the 19 people who died during the summer were involved in incidents while official pre-alerts for adverse coastal conditions were active.