A successful summer season for Lorca beaches with more visitors and fewer incidents
The good weather, the optimal sea conditions and the opening of the Parazuelos campsite have been among the key factors for this positive development
This summer has been very positive for the beaches along the Lorca coast, with a significant increase in visitors and a notable decrease in incidents. Mayor Fulgencio Gil, alongside José Martínez, the Councillor for Emergencies, presented the results of the Surveillance and Rescue Plan on Beaches and Rescue at Sea (PLAN COPLA), which covered the period from 29 June to 1 September.
“Lorca has emerged this summer as one of the top destinations in the Region for bathers and tourists,” Mayor Gil stated. He attributed this success to a combination of factors, including favourable weather, excellent sea conditions, the opening of the Parazuelos campsite and the diligent work of the rescue and emergency services.
These elements not only attracted more people to Lorca’s beaches but also contributed to a decrease in the number of rescue incidents, continuing the downward trend observed in recent years.
Indeed, this year saw an expansion in lifeguard coverage, with 15 lifeguards deployed, an increase of four from last year. They were supported by the Municipal Emergency Service and equipped with advanced rescue resources, including two boats, a jet ski, a quad bike, two transport vehicles and a 4x4 vehicle fitted with firefighting equipment.
Additionally, an ‘amphibious’ chair for people with reduced mobility and semi-automatic defibrillators were available at all fixed posts along the coast.
A significant addition this year was the installation of a surveillance and rescue post on Parazuelos beach, near the border with Mazarrón. The opening of a nearby campsite, combined with the nice weather and largely calm sea conditions, led to a surge in the number of visitors to this area. The increase in lifeguard numbers allowed for unprecedented coverage and response capabilities.
Mayor Gil commended the lifeguards and emergency staff for their professionalism and dedication, noting their preventive and assistance efforts were instrumental in maintaining safety across the beaches.
The beaches of Calnegre also saw “very high” occupancy levels and “high” levels at the fluvial beach of Coy. Throughout the summer, the state of the sea remained favourable, with the red flag, indicating dangerous conditions for swimming, raised only three times during the entire monitoring period.
During the surveillance period, lifeguards responded to a total of 102 incidents, down from 130 in 2023 and 180 in 2022. The majority of these occurred at the Puntas de Calnegre beaches, with 77 episodes of assistance needed, including six rescues of individuals (four of whom were minors), 37 treatments for marine animal stings or bites and 17 treatments for wounds. Notably, on July 27, lifeguards successfully rescued three children who were struggling to return to shore with floating devices.
At the river beach in Coy, an increase in bathers and a higher presence of wasps resulted in 25 assistances, up from 10 in 2023. Most of these were related to wasp stings (17) and wound treatments (8).
In conclusion, Mayor Gil expressed his satisfaction with the summer’s outcomes, particularly the absence of fatalities on Lorca’s beaches. This achievement is especially significant in a year where drowning deaths have increased by 30% nationwide, with 291 recorded fatalities from January to July 2024.
The combination of enhanced lifeguard services, preventive measures and favourable conditions ensured that Lorca’s beaches remained safe and welcoming for all.
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Image: 112 Lorca
