The number of fatalities on the beaches of the Balearic Islands has decreased, while the number of p

At the XXXII Technical Conference on Beach Safety, held on November 15 at the auditorium in Alcúdia to mark the end of the 2024 bathing season, the provisional data from the annual report were presented.

The most notable figure is that the number of people who have died on the beaches of the Balearic Islands has decreased, with a total of 31 deaths (22 in Mallorca, 5 in Menorca, 3 in Ibiza, and 1 in Formentera), 6 fewer than in 2023. Outside the lifeguard service hours, the number of deaths was 12, 3 more than last year. In swimming pools, the number of victims was 12, 5 more than in 2023, thus raising the total number of drowning deaths in aquatic environments to 43.

Regarding the number of people rescued, this year's figure has significantly increased, with 1,936 actions by the lifeguard services that were decisive in saving the lives of affected individuals who were in danger. In 2023, 1,292 individuals were assisted. Despite this increase, the quick intervention of the surveillance services prevented those at risk from reaching a point of exhaustion or cardiopulmonary arrest, with 8 more drowned individuals recovered than last year.

On the other hand, of the total aquatic interventions (2,421), 1,649 are directly related to the lack of self-protection by swimmers, recklessness, or little knowledge of the environment: 706 incidents caused by ocean currents, 538 by strong waves, and 405 by distancing from the shore.

Regarding serious incidents compared to 2023, there has been an increase from 708 to 914 cases, distributed among Mallorca (596), Menorca (117), Ibiza (152), and Formentera (49). This increase is justified by the fact that the bathing season had many suitable days for swimming, very high temperatures, and a high influx of tourists, which has caused many beaches to be at their capacity limit.

In relation to transfers to health centers, the figure has also increased, with 761 cases (477 in Mallorca, 105 in Menorca, 135 in Ibiza, and 44 in Formentera).

Regarding marine fauna stings, there have been 44,346 cases from jellyfish and 937 from weever fish stings, while jellyfish sightings have decreased compared to the previous season (3,872), with 2,378 observations.

It is important to highlight the preventive tasks of the lifeguard, rescue, and first aid services, which have directly contributed to the safety of bathers. Out of a total of 186,609 self-protection interventions, 66,290 were motivated by people in dangerous areas, 34,968 by non-motorized boats within the bathing area, 35,689 by bathers within boat channels, 18,557 by bathers outside the demarcated bathing area, 12,668 by motorized boats within the bathing area, 10,254 by swimmers in currents within the marked area, and 8,163 by bathers assisted with a red flag.

The event was attended by Antonio Plata, head of the Emergency Department of the Government of the Balearic Islands; Francisco Javier Rodríguez, councilor for the Environment of the City of Alcúdia; technicians from the General Directorate of Emergencies; municipal coordinators of beach services; heads of lifeguard and rescue companies; and representatives of entities that provide training in Civil Protection and Emergencies.