Siblings, 11 and 13, who drowned in Spain named

Tributes have been paid to two "bright and deeply loved" siblings who drowned off the east coast of Spain.

Ameiya and Ricardo Junior Parris, 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.

Family members said the two children went for a swim with their father Ricardo Parris, a construction worker, on Tuesday, when they got into trouble in strong currents.

Hotel staff noticed the trio struggling and alerted the emergency services, who pulled Mr Parris out of the water unconscious, but alive.

He had since been released from hospital after suffering a concussion, the family added.

He was waiting with the childrens mother and his partner, Shanice Del-Brocco, at the hotel where they were staying for the childrens bodies to be repatriated.

Kayla Jasvinder Del-Brocco, the childrens aunt, said she had spoken to their parents who were "trying to keep it together".

"Theyre trying to stay strong and are telling everyone not to worry so as not to burden them," she said.

"Theyre obviously very numb but theyre trying to keep things as normal as possible for their little ones."

The couple have four younger children and they have been told of the deaths of their siblings, Ms Del-Brocco said.

She added she was amazed by the "overwhelming" support from the public, which had moved the family to tears.

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

"Its unfathomable but it shows people do care."

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."

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 Ill 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."

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