{
  "id": 1688429,
  "title": "Nine lives saved from above, eyes in the sky are keeping Fuengirola’s swimmers safe",
  "url": "https://urgent.news/2026/08/18/nine-lives-saved-from-above-eyes-in-the-sky-are-keeping-fuengirolas",
  "topic": "world",
  "section": "World",
  "published": "2026-08-18T10:24:33.000Z",
  "source": {
    "name": "Euro Weekly News",
    "slug": "euro-weekly-news",
    "url": "https://euroweeklynews.com/2026/08/18/nine-lives-saved-from-above-eyes-in-the-sky-are-keeping-fuengirolas-swimmers-safe/"
  },
  "original_language": "en",
  "account": "This summer, aerial drones stationed along Fuengirola's coastline have been watching over one of Spain's busiest stretches of beach, with impressive results. Four drones operated continuously for 384 flying hours and performed 2,653 individual services between June and July, according to town hall records. Over 90% of their work focused on surveillance and prevention, monitoring bathers on the Costa del Sol resort's beaches.\n\nNine rescue or assistance missions were completed by the aerial team during the two months. Operators were able to detect swimmers in trouble within seconds and deploy lifesaving flotation devices from above, significantly reducing the response time for help. Mayor Ana Mula, alongside beaches councillor Jose Sanchez, highlighted that Fuengirola pioneered the use of drones to assist its lifeguard service eight years ago, and the system remains a reference point for saving lives at sea.\n\nAeromedia, the operator of the drone service, has been running the drones from four points along Fuengirola's shoreline since June 1. Roughly 85% of their tasks were routine surveillance and control of swimming zones, while about 10% were preventive missions. When an operator flags a problem, lifeguard teams, boats, and jet skis are quickly dispatched to assist.\n\nThe lifeguard teams, on duty daily from 11am to 8pm, handled 686 medical assistance calls, 3,390 preventive actions, 46 water interventions, and 2,845 accessibility services across the resort's beaches. Jellyfish stings caused 148 of those medical cases, while minor wounds accounted for 469 incidents, plus a smaller number related to weaver fish stings, heatstroke, and burns.\n\nPreventive work included warning bathers away from rip currents, flagging red-flag conditions, handling boats straying into swimming zones, and even locating lost children on the sand. Local officials credited the 55-strong lifeguard team, along with Police officers and 14 beach watchers, for Fuengirola's national recognition as Spain's best lifeguard service in the previous year, an award tied to the Blue Flag scheme. Mayor Mula praised the staff, calling their work \"essential\" for providing residents and holidaymakers peace of mind on the beach this summer.",
  "summary": "Sets of eyes that never lose a staring contest have been watching over one of Spain’s busiest stretches of coastline […]",
  "key_points": [
    "Nine rescue missions completed by aerial drones in Fuengirola",
    "Drones operated continuously for 384 hours, performed 2,653 services",
    "Fuengirola pioneered drone use for lifeguard service eight years ago"
  ],
  "editors_take": null,
  "illustration": null,
  "coverage": {
    "outlets": 1,
    "also_reported_by": []
  },
  "ai_generated": true,
  "disclaimer": "Summaries, key points and the editor’s take are written by software from other outlets’ reporting and may contain errors — always check the linked original."
}