British tourist, 75, dies after disappearing from view while swimming in Lanzarote

A British man has died in a suspected drowning after his wife “lost sight of him” on the beach in the Spanish island of Lanzarote.

The victim has been identified as a UK tourist, 75, and police confirmed he died after going for a swim.

The alarm was raised around 2.15pm on Wednesday in the popular resort of Puerto del Carmen, in the municipality of Tias.

His wife alerted lifeguards that she had lost sight of her husband after he went into the sea near Jameos Hotel.

A helicopter was deployed to scour the water and his body was eventually found.

A Civil Guard investigation is ongoing today but no foul play is suspected.

Los Pocillos Beach is a large sandy beach described as having calm, shallow water that is safe for families.

The tragedy comes as a five-year-old British boy was rushed to hospital in Gran Canaria after coming close to drowning yesterday in the Lanzarote resort of Playa Blanca.

The youngster was pulled from the water after going into cardiac arrest as medics and a hotel lifeguard desperately tried to resuscitate him.

He was stabilised at the scene before being flown by air ambulance from Lanzarote to the neighbouring island of Gran Canaria.

He was rushed to hospital and placed in intensive care, and is currently in “critical condition”.

A total of 45 people have drowned in swimming pools and beaches in the Canary Islands from January to August this year, 15% more than in the same period of 2025.

Among them are six children, shows data compiled by the Association for the Prevention of Aquatic Accidents Canary Islands.

The most recent case happened this August on the coast of Mogán where a 14-year-old boy drowned.

At least two Brits are understood to be among the fatalities.

Just last month, six people died, while one was in critical condition, nine seriously injured, and seven with moderate to minor injuries.