Xisco Gràcia: "The 90s were the most tragic decade in the torrents of Mallorca"

PalmaCanyoning is part of the history of the Serra de Tramuntana, but it also has a tragic side. A study by Xisco Gràcia, Antoni Josep Sosa, Pau Balaguer, Francesc Xavier Bascuñana, Joan J. Fornós and Gabriel Santandreu has reconstructed the fatal accidents that occurred in the torrents of Mallorca between 1830 and 2024. In total, 33 people have lost their lives in 29 accidents in almost 200 years. The work also reviews the evolution of rescues, from groups formed by volunteers to the current professional teams. ARA Balears speaks with Xisco Gràcia.

What do we know about that first documented accident, in the year 1830?

— Very little. The first documented case of a death while canyoning in Mallorca corresponds to Antoni Bauzá, a native of Deià. The information comes from Notas históricas, by Juan Mestre, from the year 1963, who compiled the catastrophes that occurred in Lluc. An attempt was made to find more information about the deceased at the Municipal Archive of Deià, but it was not possible because there is no documentation prior to 1875. It has also not been possible to delve deeper into the research at the Historical Archive of the sanctuary of Lluc. A fire destroyed a large part of the information.

In almost two centuries there have been 33 deaths in 29 accidents. Has the profile of these accidents changed?

— Yes, it has evolved a lot. Before neoprene wetsuits became popular, classic torrents were done mainly in the summer and water levels were very low. In the past, there were no deaths due to floods or rising water levels. Now, however, most fatal accidents are related to water.

Is there any torrent especially linked to fatal accidents?

— Yes. There is a clear concentration. 14 of the deaths correspond to the Torrent de Pareis. It is quite logical because it is a torrent that many people do, it is very well-known and has been very frequented throughout time.

Which has been the most tragic era?

— Curiously, the 90s. Almost 40% of the deaths occurred between 1990 and 1999. At that time, there was the boom of neoprene, and it may be that, at the beginning, people were not as technically prepared. Over time, the profile of the deaths has changed a little.

And what are the main causes today?

— The main groups are falls and accidents related to water, such as floods, surges, or drownings. But there have also been cardiac arrests, hypothermia, or even a case of death from dehydration. What we see is that, as the years go by, there are more accidents related to water and falls have been decreasing.

How was an injured person rescued in a torrent 50 or 100 years ago?

— It is one of the biggest changes. In the past, rescue teams were mainly made up of volunteers. There were also no mobile phones, and contacting the teams was much more complicated. From the year 2000 onwards, the rescue groups of the Mallorca Council Fire Department were consolidated, and in 2001, the Civil Guard's GREIM was also established. At the beginning, however, they had very little equipment.

Who made up those volunteer rescue groups?

— There was the Mountain Rescue Group of the Balearic Mountaineering Federation, which participated in numerous rescues and was very important. There was also the Mountain Rescue Group of the Red Cross of Sóller. They were groups with many people, with more than a hundred members, and they did very important work.

What has the professionalization of rescues meant?

— The change has been decisive. Relatively recently we have had Milana, the Mallorca Fire Department's helicopter, and now medical personnel have also been incorporated into it. All this makes the chances of a successful rescue much greater than in the past.

Does this mean that today an accident that decades ago would probably have ended in death has a better chance of turning out well?

— Yes. The means, the equipment, and the speed to reach an injured person have changed a lot. This is especially important in an environment like torrents, where the response time can be decisive.

Are the torrents of Mallorca safer today?

— The torrents are better equipped and people are also better equipped, but there is another problem: they have become extremely popular. There are people who are not even regular hikers and they do torrents. And with more people there is also a higher probability of accidents. Above all, one must take the weather very much into account and not do a torrent in bad weather or under a warning.

Why was it important to leave this collection in writing?

— We have tried to do it with the utmost respect for the people who have died, so that their memory is not forgotten and so that it serves to ensure that it does not happen again. We also wanted it to be a tribute to the volunteers who have participated in mountain and torrent rescues. It was important that it remained in writing. What is written is not lost.