Rescue teams locate a body in the Duero River near Las Pallas island
Firefighters in Zamora recovered the body of a man who had been missing since Sunday afternoon in the Duero River at the height of Las Pallas island. A new search operation began Monday at 9:00 am, following approval from the subdelegate of the government, Ángel Blanco. Visibility had been poor the previous day, complicating the initial efforts, but the body was located within about an hour after active searches resumed.
Two eyewitnesses confirmed that the man, dressed and walking along the riverbank, entered the water. The sighting prompted a rapid deployment of rescuers who worked along the river until near 8:20 pm the previous day without success. It was reported that a woman called 112 after the man disappeared following his entry into the river, and the responders promptly coordinated the subsequent search and rescue activities.
In the river area, responders focused their attention on the Three Trees region, where the incident unfolded. Fire crews and river personnel maintained a careful watch along the water’s edge, prioritizing safety as they monitored the currents and water levels during the ongoing operation.
Authorities advised people to avoid entering the water while searches were underway. In the moments leading up to the disappearance, the man was seen speaking with two witnesses, who warned about his actions and the potential risk he faced in the current. The riverbed near Las Pallas island was notably lower than typical for the season, a factor influencing both the scene and the search strategy.
The body was found in shallow water near the island, at a depth of approximately three and a half meters. The unusually low water level and the drought conditions that affected the river this year helped keep the body closer to the surface and easier to reach, though the rescue teams proceeded with caution to confirm the identity and recovery safely.
Another update from the authorities indicated that the body was located near the river’s middle section, close to the yellow buoy that marks a central point in the bed. Officers noted that the man had been swimming or moving toward the buoy before his disappearance, and that efforts were focused on ensuring every possibility was explored in the wake of the report from the witnesses. The incident underscores the unpredictable nature of river currents and the importance of heeding warnings from bystanders when near water bodies.
The investigation continued to assess the sequence of events leading to the drowning, with officials later confirming the person’s age as 43. The search and recovery operation emphasized coordination among firefighters, river police, and local emergency services as they worked to bring closure to the family and the community.
Rescuers emphasized the need for caution around riverbanks, especially as seasonal drought can alter water depths and currents. The authorities also noted that the man had been in contact with two witnesses prior to entering the water, and that their accounts were crucial in guiding the response team through the search.