Fuerteventura reports six drownings in 2025, enhancing rescue and prevention data

The sea claims 54 lives in the Canary Islands up to October: where and who are most at risk

The campaign “Canarias, 1500 km of Coast” recorded 54 drowning deaths in the islands between January and October, two fewer than the same period last year.

Fuerteventura’s Situation

• Six people drowned on the island in 2025, a marked improvement compared with previous years.
• The Association for the Prevention of Aquatic Accidents reported that October alone accounted for six drowning deaths.
• In the same month there were:
  • 1 swimmer in critical condition
  • 3 in serious condition
  • 4 with moderate injuries
  • 7 with minor injuries
  • 12 rescued unharmed

Overall for 2025 (including the earlier months):

• 54 deaths
• 12 swimmers assisted in critical condition
• 22 with serious injuries
• 50 with moderate injuries
• 22 with minor injuries
• 27 rescued unharmed

Total incidents: 187 people suffered accidents on beaches and pools across the archipelago, 32 more than in 2024.

Child Fatalities

• In the ten‑month period, 17 minors experienced aquatic accidents:
  • 4 fatalities
  • 2 in critical condition
  • 4 with serious injuries
  • 5 with moderate injuries
  • 1 with minor injury
  • 1 unharmed

Demographic Breakdown of Fatalities

• 76 % of drowning deaths were male swimmers (41 men).
• 24 % were female swimmers (13 women).
• 35 % of the victims were over 60 years old (19 people).

Island‑by‑Island Death Toll

• Tenerife: 16 deaths (the highest).
• Gran Canaria: 15 deaths.
• Together, these two islands account for 57 % of all fatalities in the ten‑month span.
• Lanzarote: 9 deaths.
• Fuerteventura: 6 deaths.
• La Gomera and El Hierro: 3 deaths each.
• La Palma: 2 deaths.
• La Graciosa: no drowning deaths recorded.

Locations of Accidents

• Beaches: 54 % of incidents.
• Ports/coastal zones: 19 %.
• Natural pools: 17 %.
• Swimming pools: 10 %.

Initiative Background

The “Canarias, 1500 km of Coast” project is sponsored by the Gran Canaria Island Council and the Elder Museum of Science and Technology. It receives support from:

• The Canary Islands Government’s Department of Territorial Policy, Cohesion and Water.
• The Tourism and Sea‑City Departments of the Las Palmas City Council.
• Binter (regional airline).