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Date Published: 06/08/2025

Lifeguards in Murcia carry out 13,000 beach assists in July

Fewer rescues and first aid treatments, but more people needing help or information

Lifeguards and rescue crews in the Region of Murcia carried out over 13,000 interventions in July, according to new figures released under the region’s Copla (Surveillence and Rescue) Plan.

The Plan, which coordinates beach and river safety during the summer months, was reinforced as usual for the high-risk period between July 1 and August 31. Around 300 people are currently working across 91 beaches in the region, from the coast at El Mojón near Alicante down to Cala Reona before the Almería border, and at several inland river beaches too.

Of the 13,024 recorded incidents last month, the majority, more than 8,600, were requests for information or social assistance. These often involved helping people with mobility issues get to the water safely or locating missing beachgoers. There were also 286 rescues and 4,054 cases requiring first aid or treatment.

That’s slightly fewer than the same period in 2024, when there were 313 rescues and 4,568 first aid callouts. However, requests for social and general assistance rose by more than 1,300 compared to last July.

Speaking during a visit to the beach safety team in Santiago de la Ribera, regional emergencies minister Marcos Ortuño said: “This is a coordinated, efficient and effective response to emergencies that may arise in bathing areas.”

He also reminded residents and tourists to always respect flag colours and pay attention to lifeguards' instructions, especially when red flags are raised. “It is essential not to enter the water when the red flag is flying, as this indicates a clear danger and risk,” he said.

The beach rescue operation includes 140 surveillance points (89 posts and 51 chair towers), with staff working across 250km of coastline, in eight coastal municipalities including San Javier, Mazarrón and Cartagena. There are also 61 vehicles equipped to respond, which include 13 rescue boats and 28 canoes, as well as a fleet of other vehicles including jet skis, quads, ambulances, and rapid-response 4x4s.

On the region’s rivers, 18 people are deployed to cover 10 popular bathing spots, such as El Jarral in Abarán and Salto del Usero in Bullas. This team has access to four boats and six rescue vehicles.

While Copla runs year-round, it is only fully operational in peak summer. The regional government has allocated more than 938,000 euros this year to fund the service, most of which goes to agreements with local councils and the Red Cross.

Beachgoers can check daily flag updates through the Region of Murcia’s 112 Emergency Coordination Centre. Green means safe to swim, yellow signals caution, and red means no swimming.

Image: Jakub Pabis/Pexels

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