PARENTS across Spain are being urged to take extra care of children around private swimming pools, as experts warn they have become the deadliest setting for child drownings this summer.
More than 217 people have died by drowning in Spain this year, making June the deadliest month for drownings the country has seen for years.
Among these cases, many were children. Out of the 16 reported child drownings in June, nine were in swimming pools and six were at the beach.
Experts have linked the increase to more intense heatwaves earlier in the year, which mean more people spend time by the pool to cool off.
Parents are now being urged to stay vigilant with children around swimming pools, as shockingly, most child drownings occur in the presence of other people.
David de Valle, Beach Coordinator for the Red Cross SCFT, told Cuatro Noticias: “Of every 10 children who die, in seven cases the child was not alone in the pool. Drowning is a quick and silent process.”
“You always have to keep an eye on them. Even looking at our phones for 20 seconds, that’s enough time for a child to drown.”
In one of the most shocking incidents this summer, a British boy tragically died on June 17 after falling into a swimming pool near Malaga while on holiday with his parents.
Emergency services had been alerted to a child falling into a pool at a rural holiday farmhouse near the village of Periana, north-east of Malaga.
Despite the best efforts from emergency responders, the child could not be saved.
The family had arrived at the remote cottage at the start of their holidays, according to SUR, with the boy reported to be an only child.
“Today is a profoundly sad day for our people,” the Periana Town Hall said.
“Words cannot truly alleviate such immense grief, but we want to offer our heartfelt support and solidarity during this difficult time.”
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