Tragic Rise in Drownings in the Canary Islands
The Canary Islands recorded a grim total of 59 drownings from January to October 2026, marking an increase of five from the 54 drownings reported during the same period in 2025. These figures come from the Association for the Prevention of Aquatic Accidents, ‘Canarias, 1500 Km de Costa’.
In October alone, there were 19 incidents involving varying degrees of injury, resulting in four fatalities, three serious injuries, three moderate injuries, three minor injuries, and six rescues without injury. Overall, 202 people have been affected by aquatic accidents in the islands this year, including 14 critical cases, 33 serious, 30 moderate, 26 minor, and 40 rescues.
The average number of drownings per month stands at six. Notably, 39% of those who drowned (23 individuals) entered the sea during warnings issued by the Government of the Canary Islands due to hazardous coastal conditions.
Eight Children Among the Victims
Tragically, eight children have drowned in the islands this year, with five of these incidents occurring during the summer months. This is the highest child drowning toll recorded in the past decade, as per statistical studies by ‘Canarias, 1500 Km de Costa’.
In total, 31 children have suffered accidents at beaches and pools this year, with a breakdown of eight deaths, 11 severe injuries, five moderate injuries, two minor injuries, and five without injury.
Most drowning victims were adults, with 21 aged under 60 and 12 over 60. Information was not available for 18 cases. Men account for 69% of drowning deaths (41), while women make up 29% (17).
At the time of their accidents, 61% were bathers, 12% fell due to slips or waves from places like piers or cliffs, 10% were divers, and 7% were fishermen. The remaining six cases lacked details on activity.
The island with the highest number of drowning deaths was Tenerife, with 21 fatalities, nearly double that of Fuerteventura, which recorded 12. Gran Canaria saw 11 deaths, Lanzarote eight, El Hierro four, La Gomera two, and La Palma one. La Graciosa reported no deaths.
Drowning Victims by Nationality
Of the identified victims, 21 were foreign nationals from 11 different countries, including three Germans, three Britons, two French individuals, and one each from the United States, Venezuela, Belgium, Norway, Italy, the Netherlands, Equatorial Guinea, and other unspecified nationalities. Three Spaniards were also among the victims. Thirty-five cases are still reported without nationality data.
The fatalities predominantly occurred in the afternoon (59%), followed by morning (20%) and night (8%), with 12% lacking specified timings.
The association reminds us that beaches are the most common sites for water-related accidents in the Canary Islands, accounting for 60% of cases, while 25% occurred in ports and coastal areas, and 9% in swimming pools, with natural pools accounting for 6%.
