Two swimmers drown in Barcelona

TWO swimmers have drowned in Barcelona.

As reported in a communiqué released by the Civil Protection authorities, a Russian national drowned in the Rocapins cove after passing out in the water.

Personnel from the Medical Emergencies System tried to revive the 50-year-old man after other swimmers had reportedly pulled him out of the water, but it was too late.

Another man, 72, drowned in Les Caletes de San Susanna. The Spaniard crashed against the rocks and was found floating unconscious by other swimmers. Local Police officers arrived on the scene, as well as two ambulances. CPR was performed on the man but he later died.

There were allegedly no lifeguards on the two beaches where the men drowned. Civil Protection advises tourists and local residents to go to beaches flying green flags, which means it is safe to swim. Yellow flags mean swimmers should be careful, while red flags mean swimming is strictly forbidden.

A total of 56 people drowned in Spain during the year 2012 – 43 of them during the summer.

According to the Ministry of Health, people are more likely to drown over the age of 40.