Two siblings tragically lost their lives at sea while on a sunny holiday with their parents in Spain.
Ameiya, 13, and her 11-year-old brother, Ricardo Junior, from Birmingham, tragically lost their lives at sea during a family holiday in Salou, their auntie has confirmed.
Emergency services raced to Llarga beach, near Tarragona, shortly after 8.45pm on July 29, Catalonia’s Civil Protection agency said.
The siblings, described by loved ones as ‘beautiful’ and ‘bright’, were given treatment following the ‘tragic incident at sea’ but did not pull through, BirminghamLive reports.
Kayla Jasvinder Del-Brocco, the children’s auntie, confirmed that her niece and nephew both came into trouble in the water and were swept away from the beach by powerful currents.
“They went out to swim together with their dad as they loved the beach,” said Kayla. “[Their] mum said ‘don’t be long’ and took her little one to the bathroom.
“She came back out and couldn’t see anyone. That’s when the nightmare commenced.”
Kayla said Ameiya was ‘athletic, driven, motherly with her siblings, sarcastic and unique’.
“Ricardo Junior was kind, loving and helpful,” she said. “He wanted to be a YouTuber and would do anything for a few quid. He doted on his mom.”
A Go Fund Me has been organised to raise money for Ameiya and Ricardo Junior’s parents so that they can bring their children home from Spain.
It has been set up by Ameiya and Ricardo’s cousin Holly Marquis-Johnson.
Holly said: “During what was meant to be a joyful family holiday in Salou, Spain, Ameiya and Ricardo Junior, lovingly known to their family and friends as Maya and Jubs, heartbreakingly lost their lives in a tragic incident at sea.
“Two beautiful, bright, and deeply loved children, taken far too soon. The pain their family is feeling is unimaginable.
“This fundraiser has been created to help ease some of the financial burden the family is now facing, covering the costs of bringing Maya and Jubs home to the UK and giving them the dignified farewell they deserve.
“We know that no amount of money can make this right. But together, we can help carry some of the weight.”
