Balearic Emergency Services handled nearly 600 callouts this summer

15/10/2013 00:00

STAFF REPORTER THE Balearic Islands' Emergency Services (112) responded to a total of 567 incidents from the summer months of June to September this year. The majority were related to the high tourist season with incidents at sea and on excursionist mountain trails. Tasks included such diverse challenges as scooping jellyfish out of the water and rushing to the aid of the drowning.

In a report published yesterday, the Emergency Services said Majorca kept them at their busiest with 312 calls for help, 109 on Ibiza, 80 on Minorca and 66 on Formentera. Maritime operations included assisting vessels which ran aground or broke moorings and went adrift, going to the aid of people who found themselves in difficulties in the water and clearing up after boating accidents. Twenty-one people drowned in waters off the beaches of the Balearics during the summer months this year, whilst 42 who might otherwise have lost their lives were rescued from the sea and brought back to life by the Emergency Services. Separately 5 people drowned and a further 12 survived following accidents in swimming pools around the Islands between June and September.