**Heartbreak as Siblings Drown During Family Holiday in Spanish Resort**
A family’s dream holiday has ended in tragedy after two much-loved siblings from Birmingham lost their lives in a swimming incident on the Spanish coast. Ameiya Del Brocco, aged 13, and her 11-year-old brother Ricardo, fondly known as Maya and Jubs to those close to them, drowned at Llarga Beach in Salou following a plea for “one last swim” shortly before the family was due to return home.
The seaside trip was part of the children’s very first major holiday abroad, a long-anticipated adventure shared with their parents, Shanice and Ricardo Snr, both aged 31, and their four siblings. The family had been staying at the Hotel Best Necresgo, a four-star resort perched close to the Mediterranean shore.
According to family accounts, the children were eager for one final dip in the sea as their holiday drew to a close. It was reported that while Ricardo Snr stayed behind to supervise the swim, Shanice left momentarily to accompany one of the younger children to the toilet facilities nearby. In just those brief moments, disaster struck.
Accounts suggest that the waters turned treacherous, catching Ameiya and Ricardo in a perilous rip current beyond their control. As their father attempted to rescue them, he too found himself in difficulty. Despite the swift intervention of emergency services, both siblings could not be saved, though Ricardo Snr was resuscitated on the beach after ingesting a significant amount of water.
Shanice’s sister, Macalia Del Brocco, aged 46, has spoken out in the days following the tragedy, describing the family’s anguish. Recounting the moment Shanice realised her children were missing, Macalia told reporters, “She came back out, and she couldn’t see any of the children. It was at that point panic struck, and within moments, the police and emergency crews arrived.”
Tributes for Ameiya and Ricardo have poured in from relatives and friends. Macalia remembered her niece as a “unique character” with a passion for athletics and fashion, often acting as a maternal figure to her younger siblings. Of her nephew, she spoke warmly: “Ricardo was the softest, gentlest boy you could wish to meet. He was a true sweetheart who dreamed of becoming a YouTuber.”
Six-year-old Casius, one of the surviving siblings, poignantly conveyed his understanding of the tragedy, telling Macalia that “Juby went to heaven in a helicopter,” a touching remark that encapsulates both the innocence and heartbreak the family now faces.
In the wake of the incident, the community has rallied in support, raising more than £18,000 via a fundraising campaign to assist the family with funeral costs and to help bring Ameiya and Ricardo’s bodies home for burial. The wider extended family, including the children’s grandmother, travelled to Spain to be with Shanice and Ricardo Snr as they coped with their unimaginable loss.
Macalia highlighted the lasting impact on Ricardo Snr, who is said to be grappling with intense emotional pain as he replays the harrowing minutes in his mind. Despite the trauma, she remains hopeful that familial bonds will help the bereaved parents begin to heal: “There’s a lot of love and support around them; families pull together in times like this.”
Describing the sibling relationship between Maya and Jubs, Macalia said, “They would bicker like any siblings, but the truth is, they adored each other. Their bond was undeniable.”
Ameiya was described as an exceptionally bright student, known for her drive and determination. Macalia recalled, “She had a wicked sense of humour and was always adamant when she set her sights on something.”
This devastating incident not only highlights the potential dangers present even in seemingly idyllic holiday settings but also serves as a poignant reminder of the deep familial bonds that can never be broken—even by the gravest of misfortunes. The Del Brocco family’s grief is being shared by friends, community members, and strangers alike, as they struggle to come to terms with such an enormous loss.