So far in 2024, a total of four people have lost their lives on the beaches of Ibiza and Formentera, according to data presented at the XXXII Jornada Técnica de Seguridad en Playas, held in Alcúdia. Of these victims, three correspond to Ibiza and one to Formentera, in a season that has seen an increase in water rescues and the influx of tourists on the beaches. In the Balearic Islands, the overall figures indicate a decrease in drownings compared to the previous year, with 31 deaths on beaches compared to 37 in 2023. However, outside lifeguard hours, deaths have increased from 9 to 12, which underlines the importance of maximizing safety measures outside the usual hours of surveillance.
The impact of climate and tourism on major incidents
The favorable conditions for bathing, combined with high temperatures and a massive influx of visitors, led to many beaches being at the limit of their capacity. This was reflected in an increase of serious incidents in Ibiza and Formentera, with a total of 201 serious cases (152 in Ibiza and 49 in Formentera), compared to 171 recorded last year. The report also highlights that the lack of self-protection and recklessness of bathers were responsible for most of the aquatic incidents, with 1,649 interventions motivated by sea currents, strong waves or excessive distance from the coast.
Increase in rescues and sanitary transfers
This year, the rescue services performed 1,936 rescues, a significant increase compared to 1,292 in 2023, demonstrating the effectiveness of preventive interventions. As for transfers to health centers, 179 cases were recorded between Ibiza and Formentera, a figure that also reflects a slight increase over the previous year. At the technical conference, authorities and experts highlighted the efforts of the rescue services, which carried out 186,609 preventive interventions throughout the Balearic Islands, of which a considerable number were carried out in the Pitiusas. These actions, aimed at preventing risks, include warnings to bathers in dangerous areas or outside the delimited areas and control of boats in unauthorized areas.
