37-year-old surfer drowned at Famara beach

A 37-year-old Rumanian national drowned yesterday afternoon at Famara beach while surfing. Another man remains missing.

At around 4pm yesterday emergency services were called after three surfers got into trouble in the area of El Papelillo, towards the eastern end of the beach. A 49-year-old German managed to get out of the water, but the Rumanian was retrieved without a pulse and attempts to resuscitate him were in vain.

A search was then launched for a third surfer, a 28-year-old man of Indian origin. The search, involving two emergency helicopters and jet skis continued until nightfall and was relaunched this morning with two boats and a helicopter.

The confirmed death brings the total of drownings on Lanzarote so far this year to 10, according to the Canarias 1.500 kms de Costa association.