The Spanish resort of Tarragona has been hit by an unimaginable tragedy that is literally chilling. What should have been a carefree afternoon at the beach for a group of six teenagers turned into a fight for their lives within minutes. The result is the saddest possible – three extinguished young lives, tears and a huge shock for the whole city, writes the website and .
It all started on the afternoon of Friday, June 19, at Arrabassada Beach. A group of boys went swimming to a rocky area known as Cova del Gos. Although a yellow flag was flying on the beach, warning of increased danger due to waves, the youths entered the water in places where swimming is strictly prohibited and lifeguards cannot see it directly. The rough sea immediately trapped them in the rocks.
They fought until the last second
Three friends who managed to escape from the wild water and reach the shore, they immediately alerted help. Emergency services, including a helicopter, boats and six ambulances, immediately went to the scene. The boys managed to be pulled out of the water, but drama ensued. The captain of the local football team, Maikel († 12), was fished out of the water unconscious. The rescuers resuscitated him for three quarters of an hour right on the beach, but, unfortunately, without success. He died on the spot.
The doctors managed to restore the vital functions of the second boy († 13) and he was taken to the hospital in critical condition. However, he lost his fight for life on Saturday morning. A helicopter transported a third boy († 13) to the same hospital. He fought on the equipment in critical condition for the longest time, but his death was officially confirmed on Sunday morning.
A city drowning in tears
The whole city was covered in black. The town hall has declared three days of mourning and flags are flying at half-mast. The tragedy particularly affected the local football club CD La Floresta, where 12-year-old Maikel played. He was a huge talent in whom the famous club Villarreal had already shown interest. “We will never forget his constant smile and joy,” posted the club in a touching status on social networks.
More than 300 people gathered in front of the Tarragona town hall during a minute of silence, including the families of the victims and the highest political representatives of Catalonia. Psychologists also had to intervene on the spot, who provided help to dozens of collapsed relatives and friends.
“These are moments of great pain. The sea is dangerous, there is no need to take risks and under no circumstances jump from the rocks,” warned the devastated mayor of the city, Rubén Viñuales. These three innocent victims have unfortunately become the first tragic deaths of this summer’s swimming season in the region.
