At 12:50 AM EDT on Friday, August 1, 2025, the heartbreaking story of two British siblings who drowned during a dream holiday in Spain has come into sharp focus, as their family revealed the tragic sequence of events that unfolded in mere minutes. Ameiya, 13, and Ricardo, 11—affectionately known as Maya and Jubs—pleaded for one last swim at Llarga Beach in Salou before their lives were cut short by treacherous currents. Their desperate battle for survival, witnessed by their father’s frantic rescue attempt and their younger brother’s innocent belief that they “went to heaven in a helicopter,” has left the nation in tears and sparked a global outpouring of grief. This devastating incident, which occurred on July 29, 2025, has raised questions about beach safety and the resilience of a family now grappling with unimaginable loss.
The Dream Holiday Turns to Nightmare
The Del Brocco family from Birmingham had embarked on their “first big holiday abroad” to mark the start of the summer, arriving at the four-star Hotel Best Necresgo in Salou, just meters from Llarga Beach. Shanice and Ricardo Snr, both 31, brought their six children—aged 11 months, three, five, six, Ameiya, and Ricardo—for a week-long escape, a trip the older siblings had eagerly anticipated since visiting Salou five years prior. The hotel, known for its proximity to the ocean, promised a perfect blend of relaxation and family fun, with the children reveling in the sun and sea as their vacation neared its end.
On July 29, the family enjoyed a day at the beach, with Ameiya, a fashion-loving athlete, and Ricardo, a budding YouTuber with dreams of online fame, soaking in the joy. As evening approached, the siblings begged their parents for “one last swim” before heading back. Ricardo Snr agreed to supervise, while Shanice took one of the younger children to the toilet, accompanied by the other three. The decision, made in the fading light, would prove fateful, as rough sea conditions—marked by a yellow warning flag—went unnoticed in the excitement.
The Desperate Battle to Save Them
Within minutes, the idyllic scene turned horrific. Shanice returned to find Ricardo Snr and the children missing from the shoreline. Panic set in as she scanned the water, spotting her husband struggling amid waves. Ricardo Snr had dived in after Ameiya and Ricardo, who had been swept 100 meters offshore by fierce rip currents. Eyewitnesses described the father’s frantic efforts, swimming against the tide to reach his children, only to be overwhelmed himself. Local police and emergency services, alerted at 8:47 PM, rushed to the scene, with seven medical units and a helicopter deployed.
Inspector Jose Luis Gargallo, head of Salou’s police, recounted the harrowing rescue: “We saw three people struggling—father, son, and daughter. The father was exhausted, and the children had no vital signs when we pulled them out.” Officers and hotel staff joined the effort, but despite CPR and advanced life support, Ameiya and Ricardo were pronounced dead at the scene. Ricardo Snr, having swallowed significant water, was resuscitated on the beach but remained in critical condition, his trauma compounded by the loss of his children. The helicopter, hovering above to coordinate, became a haunting image etched in the family’s memory.
The Little Brother’s Innocent Belief
The emotional toll deepened with the perspective of six-year-old Casius, the eldest of the younger siblings. Days after the tragedy, he shared a poignant conversation with his aunt, Macalia Del Brocco, 46. “He told me, ‘Did you know Maya and Jubs are in heaven now? Juby went to heaven in a helicopter,’” Macalia told the press, her voice breaking. Casius’s understanding, shaped by the rescue helicopter’s presence, offered a bittersweet comfort. “It’s beautiful he thinks that, but so tragically sad,” she added, reflecting the family’s struggle to shield the younger children from the full weight of the loss.
The family’s attempt to maintain a “holiday-esque” feel for Casius and his siblings—aged 11 months, three, and five—underscores their resilience. Macalia noted, “We’re trying to keep it light for them, even though we know it’s not the same.” The innocence of Casius’s words has resonated widely, with social media posts under #MayaAndJubsHeaven trending at 15 million views by late July 31, as people marvel at his childlike faith amid the horror.
A History of Beach Safety Concerns
The incident has spotlighted beach safety in Spain, where 16 drownings have been recorded on Catalan beaches since June 15, 2025—five more than the previous year. Llarga Beach’s yellow flag, indicating caution due to rough seas, was in place, but lifeguards had ended their 8 PM shift before the 8:47 PM emergency call. This gap has drawn criticism, with locals questioning why no extended coverage was available during peak holiday season. The nearby drowning of a 54-year-old German man at Cambrils Beach on the same day amplifies concerns about inadequate oversight.
Salou held a minute of silence on July 30 outside its town hall to honor the victims, a gesture echoed by the UK Foreign Office, which is supporting the family. However, the Del Broccos’ experience suggests a need for reevaluation. Ricardo Snr’s resuscitation highlights the thin line between life and death, while the absence of lifeguards during the critical window has fueled calls for reform, with some pointing to similar incidents, like the 2019 Costa del Sol pool drownings, as cautionary tales.
Public Reaction and Family Tribute
The tragedy has sparked a global outpouring of grief. #MayaAndJubsHeaven and #SalouTragedy have dominated X, with fans sharing photos of the siblings smiling on the beach, taken moments before their deaths. A GoFundMe page, set up by friend Holly Marquis-Johnson, has raised over £18,000 to cover repatriation costs and support the family, describing Maya and Jubs as “beautiful, bright, and deeply loved children taken far too soon.” The fundraiser’s message, “No amount of money can make this right, but we can help carry some of the weight,” has resonated, with donations pouring in from across the UK and beyond.
Macalia’s tribute painted a vivid picture: Ameiya, a “unique, sarcastic, and determined” girl with an amazing school report, and Ricardo, the “softest, sweetest boy” with YouTube dreams. Their bond, marked by sibling rivalry yet deep adoration, has touched hearts. Relatives, including the children’s grandmother, flew to Spain on July 30 to support Shanice and Ricardo Snr, who faces mental trauma from the rescue attempt. Hotel staff have been praised for their support, a small solace amid the pain.
The Human Toll and Lingering Questions
For the Del Broccos, the loss is devastating. Shanice, who returned to find her children gone, is under psychological care, while Ricardo Snr’s physical and emotional recovery remains uncertain. The younger siblings, unaware of the full scope, ask about Maya and Jubs, adding to the family’s burden. Casius’s helicopter tale has become a focal point, with psychologists noting it as a coping mechanism, yet it underscores the innocence lost.
The incident raises questions about parental supervision and beach conditions. Ricardo Snr’s dive, while heroic, couldn’t overcome the currents, a scenario some attribute to the yellow flag’s ambiguity—allowing swimming but not ensuring safety. Critics argue better signage or lifeguard presence could have changed the outcome, though the family has not blamed anyone, focusing instead on their children’s memory.
A Turning Point or a Call for Change?
As of August 1, 2025, the Del Broccos are planning a dignified farewell in Birmingham, with the GoFundMe funds aiding repatriation. The Spanish authorities’ investigation continues, with post-mortems confirming drowning, but no official report on conditions has emerged. The family’s story has prompted a petition on Change.org, gaining 5,000 signatures, demanding extended lifeguard hours at Catalan beaches.
This tragedy, from a simple plea for a swim to a desperate battle and a child’s heavenly vision, has left a lasting mark. Whether it spurs beach safety reforms or remains a poignant memory, Maya and Jubs’ story ensures their voices echo beyond the waves that took them.
