17 drowned in the Balearics this summer

In the month of August alone, a spokesman confirmed,19 people had to be rescued and given medical attention after getting into difficulties whilst swimming. Of this figure, 13 were resuscitated but 6 died.Twelve of last month's emergencies arose in coastal waters whilst seven happened in swimming pools.

During June, July and August this year, Emergency Services were called to 1'105 incidents, 6.6 percent more than two years ago. Of the total, 548 alarms were raised on Majorca, 343 on Ibiza, 171 on Minorca and 71 on Formentera.

Data related only to August show that that there were 502 calls for assistance (233 on Majorca, 152 on Ibiza, 86 on Minorca and 31 on Formentera). Amongst these emergencies were those related to people who had got into difficulties scuba diving, jellyfish sightings, boat accidents, drownings, theft from tourists on the beach, and lost animals and children.

Emergency services responded to 77 incidents in August which had arisen because of boats violating areas which had been set aside for bathers, 13 jellyfish sightings, 35 boats adrift, 24 people in danger at sea, 19 injured whilst they were practicing water sports and 19 people who had either drowned or were in danger of drowning.

Balearic Emergency services also responded to 119 calls for medical assistance ranging from people who had been bitten by insects or animals, had collapsed after fainting, to being intoxicated by drugs or suffering from anxiety attacks and other traumas.