A beach day for everyone: Barcelona's assisted-swimming service amid heatwave

Barcelona residents flocked to the beach on Tuesday (June 23) to escape soaring temperatures, including dozens of people with reduced mobility who used an assisted-swimming service to enjoy the cool waters of the Mediterranean.

Using amphibious chairs, beach workers helped users access the water and enjoy the sea as temperatures across parts of Spain were forecast to reach as high as 44 degrees Celsius (111.2 Fahrenheit).

"It’s an opportunity for them to be included, to be able to do what other people can do without help," said caretaker Judith Valenzuela, who works at a nursing home and volunteered to help with the assisted-swimming at the beach.

A mother of a user remarked that it was a 'joy' that there was such a service available. “In the water he’s like a normal child, he wants to play, he wants to drink the water, I think this changes his day and mine too," said Sirley de Foseca. 

Europe is warming at more than twice the global average, according to the World Meteorological Organization, making prolonged heat episodes increasingly likely.

 Camera: Horaci Garcia, Production: Nacho Doce, Editing: Elena Rodriguez/Reuters