Two women die saving three-year-old boy from Palencia reservoir

Tragedy struck at the Baños de Cerrato reservoir in Palencia, Spain, on Sunday when two women lost their lives while attempting to rescue a three-year-old boy. The child, who had been in danger of drowning, was ultimately saved and is reported to be out of danger.

The incident occurred around 6:30 p.m. when the emergency services received a call alerting them to a minor in distress in the water. The initial caller reported that another woman had entered the reservoir to save the child but was struggling to bring him to safety on her own.

Emergency services, including firefighters from Palencia and the Guardia Civil, were mobilized to the scene. Despite their rapid response and efforts, the two women could not be saved, though the child was successfully brought to safety.

This tragic event highlights the ongoing dangers of drowning in Spain's waterways. According to the annual report from the Royal Spanish Federation of Lifesaving and Rescue, 472 people died from drowning in aquatic spaces across Spain in 2025. This figure represents the second-highest number recorded by the entity since 2017. Beaches accounted for the majority of these fatalities, with 241 deaths, followed by rivers (88), and reservoirs, ports, or canals (94). Swimming pools also saw a significant number of deaths, with 49 fatalities.