Two British women have been found dead after being swept away during a late-night swim in stormy seas at one of the most popular resorts on the Costa Brava.
The two tourists, who have yet to be named, were reported missing shortly after 4am in the coastal town of Lloret de Mar. The 33- and 36-year-old were part of a group of five women tourists from Birmingham who were together on the beach in the early hours of Thursday, Spanish police said, when two of them decided to risk the rough seas and go for a swim.
Several boats and helicopters were deployed to search for the women, said a spokeswoman for Spain’s maritime rescue services who were responsible for the sea and air search that involved police, Guardia Civil and local authorities. Teams of specialised divers were also brought in to help.
The search was complicated by raging storms in the area, said the spokeswoman, preventing an immediate rescue attempt. “There is a strong storm in the area, with powerful waves and currents.” Due to the strong pull of the currents, rescuers later extended the search area by four miles to the south, she added.
The bodies were spotted in the sea by a helicopter about eight hours after the search began, a few miles south of the Playa Grande beach where they disappeared. Both were taken to the nearby town of Blanes, said maritime rescue services.
Spain’s Mediterranean coastline has been battered by heavy storms in recent days and authorities said they had issued instructions to stay off beaches, warning of waves as high as 20 feet in the area.
The group had initially come to the beach near the local landmark Doña Marinera (Sailor’s wife) to take photos, but two of them decided to enter the water. Felip Carbonell, the head of the local Civil Protection agency told Spanish media that an employee of a nearby beach bar warned the women not to swim and later helped call police when two of them failed to make it back to shore.
One of those who initially entered the water managed to make it out, but the second swimmer was dragged in deeper by the waves. Another member of the group, who initially decided to heed the warning and stay on the shore, entered the water to help rescue her friend but was swept away by the strong current.
Catalan police said the women were all staying at the same hotel. Police had spoken to them, taking their statements and providing them with counselling.
The Foreign Office said: “We can confirm the death of two British nationals who had been reported missing in Lloret de Mar on 1 October. We are providing support to the families and those who were travelling with the individuals at this difficult time.”
