Belgian tourist drowns in Alicante
The 69-year-old man fell into the water at Alicante marina
A 69-year-old Belgian tourist tragically drowned on Sunday night, April 20, after falling into the sea at Alicante’s Marina Deportiva. The National Police are investigating the incident, which appears to have been an accident.
The holidaymaker, who reportedly spent extended stays aboard his boat docked at the marina, was found floating in the water at around 10.30 pm on Easter Sunday. A German man moored nearby was the first to raise the alarm after spotting the body and attempting a rescue.
According to the witness, he initially heard a loud noise about an hour earlier but, seeing nothing suspicious, thought little of it. Later, he believed he heard gasping sounds and, when he looked over the stern of his boat, discovered the man in the water. He immediately jumped in, pulled the victim onto his vessel and tried to revive him while emergency services were en route.
Despite the quick response from ambulance crews and officers from the local, national and port police, paramedics were unable to save the man’s life. Firefighters helped retrieve the body, which was later examined by the coroner.
Police sources indicate there were no signs of foul play. Security camera footage shows the man was alone at the time of the incident and his only visible injury was a head wound likely sustained in the fall. In addition, he was found with €1,500 in cash, credit cards and his passport, further evidence that helped the authorities rule out robbery as a motive.
Although formal identification is pending, authorities believe the deceased is a Belgian national well known to other boat owners in the marina.
Back in February, 24-year-old Swiss footballer Jakov Jelkic was found dead in the waters of Alicante’s port after going missing during a night out with teammates. His body was discovered on February 3 by National Police and retrieved by Guardia Civil divers. Investigators believe his death was accidental, with no signs of third-party involvement.
Image: Zarateman via Wikimedia Commons
Sign up for the Spanish News Today Editors Roundup Weekly Bulletin and get an email with all the week’s news straight to your inbox
Special offer: Subscribe now for 25% off (36.95 euros for 48 Bulletins)
OR
you can sign up to our FREE weekly roundup!
Read some of our recent bulletins:
Discount Special Offer subscription:
36.95€ for 48 Editor’s Weekly News Roundup bulletins!
Please CLICK THE BUTTON to subscribe.
(List price 3 months 12 Bulletins)
Read more stories from around Spain:
