The siblings were at Llarga Beach in Salou when the tragic incident occurred on Tuesday, July 29

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A brother and sister, aged 11 and 13, have drowned off a beach in Spain, according to reports
The siblings' father tried to save them but also ended up having to be rescued by emergency responders, according to U.K. newspaper The Guardian
Responders were called to Llarga Beach in Salou on Tuesday, July 29

Two siblings have drowned off a beach in Spain, according to reports.

The brother and sister, aged 11 and 13 and from the U.K., were with their father at Llarga Beach in Salou, Tarragona, when they began to get into trouble in the water at around 8:45 p.m. on Tuesday, July 29, U.K. newspapers The Times and The Guardian and the BBC reported.

The father reportedly tried to save the pair and ran into the ocean before emergency responders arrived, though officials also had to help save him.

While the three were alive when they were brought ashore, responders were then unable to revive the children, according toThe Guardian.

The outlet reported that the siblings were swimming in a rocky area over 300-ft. from the beach, but rough waters prevented them from returning to the shore.

PEOPLE has contacted the Catalan Police, the Hotel Negresco, the UK Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Office for comment.

Emergency responders included the Catalan police, Salou local police and the fire brigade, according to The Times.

"Tragically, the boy and girl could not be saved despite the best efforts of rescuers," head of the local police force, José Luis Gargallo, said, per the BBC.

He stated that the father had also “swallowed a large amount of water and was in a state of exhaustion.”

"The sea was rough, and people sometimes underestimate its power - especially in this area, which is usually very calm," Gargallo continued.

He added, "Ninety percent of the time, there is no danger on that beach, and it is considered an ideal spot for swimming. But [Tuesday] was different - not just at that beach, but along the entire coast."

Lifeguards had also finished their shifts at the time of the incident, according to the BBC.

Authorities told the outlet that the children and their father had been vacationing with their mother, as well as another sibling who were at a nearby hotel at the time.

“We are supporting the family of two British children who have died in Spain and are in contact with the local authorities,” a UK Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Office spokesperson said in a statement, per The Guardian.

In honor of the children, a minute’s silence took place outside Salou town hall on Wednesday, per the BBC.

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The family of the victims is reportedly being supported by psychologists.

The tragedy comes after a German man, 54, also drowned on Tuesday at Cap de Sant Pere de Cambrils beach, near Llarga beach, bringing Catalan beaches’ fatalities to 16 since June 15, according to the BBC.

“If you notice that someone is unwell or has difficulties in the water, you should urgently notify the lifeguard service or call 112 to facilitate their rapid action,” Catalonia’s Civil Protection said in a statement, per The Times.