Family’s tribute to Birmingham siblings who drowned in Spain

Tributes have been paid to two “bright and deeply loved” siblings who died after drowning off the east coast of Spain.

Ameiya and Ricardo Junior Del Brocco, 13 and 11, were pulled from the water at Llarga Beach in Salou on Tuesday evening.

The pair, from Birmingham, were on holiday with their mother and father, with the latter also having to be rescued by emergency services after trying to save his children.

A GoFundMe page by relatives to cover the cost of bringing their bodies back to the UK had raised more than £30,000 on Friday.

The fundraising page, set up by cousin Holly Marquis-Johnson, said nothing could have prepared their “heartbroken” parents for losing two children.

The pair were affectionately nicknamed as Maya and Jubs.

“Maya was intelligent, thoughtful and growing into a strong, young woman,” Ms Marquis-Johnson wrote.

“Ricardo Junior was playful, kind and always smiling. They brought so much love, laughter and energy into the lives of everyone around them.

“Their absence has left an unbearable silence, not just for their parents but for their whole family, who were incredibly close and shared an unbreakable bond.”

Kayla Jasvinder Del-Brocco, the children’s aunt, told the BBC the “overwhelming” support from the public had moved them to tears.

“The family will forever be grateful for the shared blessing,” she said.

Paulette Hamilton MP, who represents Erdington, where the family is from, said all residents in the area “felt the tragic loss”.

“I was shocked and saddened to hear the awful news about Ricardo and Ameiya,” Hamilton said.

“My deepest thoughts and prayers are with their family and loved ones during this unimaginably difficult time.

“If the family needs anything, please reach out to me and I’ll do as much as I can as the local MP.”

Spanish officials said lifeguards on the beach had finished their shifts by the time an emergency call was received at about 21:00 CEST.

Police chief José Luis Gargallo said authorities would “review everything” and take steps to prevent any similar future incidents.

A spokesperson for the Foreign Office said: “We are supporting the family of two British children who have died in Spain and are in contact with the local authorities.”