Man arrested after Irish tourist drowns in Lanzarote



A man has been arrested on the Spanish island of Lanzarote after a female tourist drowned on Sunday morning.

Elaine O'Donovan, an Irish woman who lived in London, drowned off the Playa Grande beach in Puerto del Carmen.

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The 41-year-old was on holiday with her parents.

According to Spain's Guardia Civil, a 29-year-old man, who is not Spanish, was arrested on suspicion of not helping Ms O'Donovan.

A police spokesperson added that the man was on the beach with Elaine at around 3am but stayed on the sand when she went swimming.

Elaine's family told The Irish Post: "Elaine was deeply loved by her family and many friends all over the world.

"She loved her work as an environmental engineer, which took her to the most dangerous parts of the world where she worked to improve the lives of those who so badly needed her help.

"Elaine touched the lives of everyone who knew her. She will be very sadly missed."

A source close to the inquiry told the Irish Times that she could have been saved if the man called for help.

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