Black weekend: six minors killed

A tragic weekend unfolded across Spain and Italy, with six minors losing their lives in separate water-related incidents. The grim toll highlights the dangers of recreational water activities when safety warnings are disregarded or when impaired driving occurs.

In Spain's Catalonia region, near Tarragona, three teenagers drowned after leaping into the sea from a wall. Despite a yellow flag warning of high waves, the youths entered the water. While three managed to reach shore, rescuers had to intervene for the others. A 12-year-old boy died at the scene despite resuscitation efforts, and two 13-year-olds later succumbed to their injuries in the hospital. The Catalan city of Tarragona declared three days of mourning following the tragedy.

Meanwhile, in Italy, a car carrying nine young people plunged into the Villoresi canal in Senago, near Milan, early Saturday morning. Three 17-year-olds, two boys and a girl, died in the incident. The 19-year-old driver, an Italian citizen, is under investigation for causing a fatal traffic accident. Initial reports indicate his blood alcohol test was positive, with the amount of alcohol three times the legal limit, according to the Italian news agency Ansa. Emergency services, including firefighters and divers, worked to rescue the young occupants. While seven were pulled from the vehicle, and six were handed over to medical personnel, one could not be saved. Divers later recovered the bodies of the other two missing passengers from the canal. The driver was reportedly speeding on a road not open to vehicles along the canal.