Spain sees 90% of drowning deaths occur without lifeguard supervision

The National Drowning Report shows that since 2017, roughly nine out of ten fatal drownings in Spain have taken place in areas without lifeguard coverage. In 2025, 472 people died, with 220 deaths recorded in locations that should have had lifeguard services but did not, and another 200 in unregulated natural waters. The yearly total has risen steadily from a pandemic‑low of 338 deaths in 2020 to 472 in 2025, and the trend continues into 2026, with 25 deaths in January and a cumulative 138 deaths by mid‑June.

More than 55% of the deaths occur between 10 a.m. and 6 p.m., peaking from noon to four in the afternoon. The most affected age group is 55‑74, accounting for about a third to two‑fifths of victims. Spaniards represent 73‑84% of the fatalities, with tourists from other European nations comprising the next largest share. July is consistently the deadliest month, followed by August, while June and September also contribute significantly.

Regionally, Andalusia and the Canary Islands have the highest cumulative death tolls, each exceeding 700 since 2015. Galicia ranks second in 2025 with 54 deaths, driven by its extensive Atlantic coastline and numerous rivers. Inland communities such as Madrid, Navarra and La Rioja report lower absolute numbers but show a rising trend in river and reservoir drownings.