British siblings aged 11 and 13 drown while swimming off beach in Spain

Two British siblings, a brother and sister aged 11 and 13, have drowned after getting into difficulties while swimming at Salou, a Mediterranean resort in north-eastern Spain.

- Stephen Burgen

Their father, who ran into the sea to rescue them, survived.

Emergency services were called to the scene on the Platja Llarga next to the Negresco hotel shortly before 9pm on Tuesday. Although all three were alive when they were brought ashore, emergency workers, among them police and firefighters, were unable to revive the two children.

Reports indicate they were swimming in a rocky area about 100 metres from the beach, but heavy seas prevented them from returning to shore.

Their father tried to rescue them, before having to be rescued himself.