Volunteers gather at Guardia Civil station in Alhaurin.
Credit: Ayuntamiento de Alhaurin
A large-scale search operation involving around 100 volunteers from the local community is ongoing in Alhaurin el Grande, Malaga Province, for two local men in their 50s who vanished during the torrential rains on Saturday night, December 27.
The men, who are believed to have been travelling in a van that was swept away by floodwaters near the Rio Fahala – a tributary of the Guadalhorce – were last seen as the region endured a rare and sudden red weather alert from Spain’s AEMET agency. Over 134 litres per square metre fell in some areas in a short period of time, causing widespread flooding, river overflows, and hundreds of emergency calls across the Guadalhorce Valley and Costa del Sol.
Missing men personal friends of mayor
Their empty van was discovered approximately 1.6 kilometres downstream, prompting fears that the pair were dragged by the powerful current. Mayor Anthony Bermúdez, visibly affected as the missing men are personal friends of his, confirmed the details and urged the public to take extreme caution around swollen rivers.
On Sunday, December 28, the search intensified with coordinated efforts from the Guardia Civil (including mountain rescue), local police, firefighters with underwater teams, local Civil Protection units, and organised volunteers. Aerial support from drones and helicopters has been aiding ground teams scouring riverbanks with thick, long reeds and canes in systematic sweeps from La Campiñuela to La Pagaora.
Operations are being directed from a command post at the main Guardia Civil station in Alhaurín el Grande, with a key briefing scheduled for 6.30pm to assess progress and plan next steps. Challenging conditions continue due to high river flows and muddy terrain.
Authorities have appealed to the public to avoid spreading unverified rumours and to exercise extreme prudence near watercourses. As of late Sunday, no trace of the men has been found, but rescuers remain hopeful with the ongoing effort.