Seven in Ten Drowning Deaths in the Canary Islands Are Tourists

The president of the “Canarias, 1,500 km of Coast” association warns that, although the Canary Islands remain a “safe destination,” more information is needed.

Sebastián Quintana, president of the “Canarias 1500 km de Costa” association, told the Canary Parliament on Thursday that the islands are “safe” and have the “best means, services and institutions” to face water‑related accidents. Nevertheless, he stressed the need for transversal political actions and cooperation from the tourism sector because seven out of ten people who die from drowning in the Canary Islands are tourists.

Quintana, who appeared before the Parliament at the request of the Canarian Coalition parliamentary group, acknowledged that the regional government has been running prevention campaigns in recent years, but “unfortunately” the critical situation persists. He cited the accident of last Sunday in Santiago del Teide, Tenerife, where four people died and a fifth remains missing after a wave struck a natural pool that was already under a coastal‑alert pre‑warning.

“Drownings are the leading cause of accidental death in the Canary Islands, surpassing traffic‑accident fatalities. This is a reality that must be reversed,” Quintana said.

He argued that information is the best “floatation device.” He called on hotels and other tourist establishments to improve communication of coastal‑alert warnings to their guests.

Tourism and Aquatic Accidents

• 66 people have died from drowning in the Canary Islands to date, averaging five deaths per month.
• Between 2016 and 2024, 353 foreign nationals suffered water‑related accidents, 80 % of them due to reckless behavior.
• Of that group, 217 have died, mainly on beaches, coastal zones, and within tourist facilities.

Quintana proposed that every tourism establishment adopt clear recommendations that inform guests of current alerts and advise against swimming in hazardous areas. He urged non‑hotel operators to convey the same messages.

Greater Protection for Minors

• 188 minors experienced water‑related accidents between 2016 and 2024, with 13 deaths since 2018.
• Studies show that nine out of ten minor accidents result from a lack of parental supervision.

Quintana emphasized the need for targeted prevention campaigns, especially for children, and highlighted that the current safety regulations have been “practically diluted” after a Supreme Court ruling exempted municipalities with fewer than 20,000 inhabitants from complying with the decree. 78 % of Canary municipalities fall into this category, including Pájara (Fuerteventura), a “black spot” for drownings that receives over a million tourists annually.

More Than 600 Deaths Since 2016

Parliamentary groups unanimously supported the association’s work. ASG deputy Ramos lamented the “chilling” figures presented by Quintana: 608 drowning deaths, 703 injuries, and 391 rescues from 2016 to 2024, concluding that “something must be done and administrations must get involved.”

• Municipalities play a fundamental role, but they should not be left alone; they need adequate resources.
• Vox’s Paula Jover asked about the professionalisation of lifeguards, to which Quintana replied that about 1,500 additional lifeguards would be required to meet current legal standards, noting the current heterogeneity of lifeguard training across the islands.
• Nueva Canarias’ Carmen Hernández pointed out that vacation‑rental housing, a significant part of the tourism market, also needs proactive information from the regional government.
• The Popular Party reiterated that the Canary Islands are a “safe destination” but must become “even safer,” calling for seamless risk alerts from the tourism sector.
• CC’s Lorenzo Brito praised the association’s work on aquatic culture, emphasizing that most drowning victims are foreigners aged 35‑60, capable of understanding pre‑alerts.
• PSOE’s Nayra Alemán Ojeda stressed that prevention and awareness are the keys to tackling aquatic accidents, a transversal issue beyond the Emergency Department.

The article reflects statements made before the Canary Parliament and data compiled by the “Canarias 1500 km de Costa” association.