Tragedy struck in Mallorca as two canyoners were found dead after a sudden flash flood in the l’Assarell area near Pollença. Firefighters and the Civil Guard converged in a coordinated rescue effort, but the powerful current proved fatal for both victims, aged 28 and 37. A joint team from the Civil Guard Mountain Rescue and Response Group (GREIM) and local firefighters conducted searches, yet only the bodies could be recovered. A companion who had been with them was rescued alive and transported by helicopter later in the afternoon, while two of his friends remained missing in the same torrent. The sheer force of the rising river overwhelmed their attempts to escape, and they could only cling to ropes in a desperate bid for safety.
The trio had been navigating the canyon when the flood surged unexpectedly. The emergency call reached authorities around four in the afternoon, with canyoners reporting they were trapped by the increasing floodwaters in the Pollenca area. Intense rainfall across Mallorca that day driven the river currents to new heights, complicating rescue efforts for responders on the ground and in the air.
a desperate call
The emergency came as the flood intensified. The canyoners managed a distress call to alert services that they were entrapped by the floodwaters in l’Assarell. The weather system underlying the incident was marked by heavy rain across Mallorca, triggering a rapid increase in stream flow and catching many by surprise.
By around six in the evening, rescuers located a woman from the trio. She was found and evacuated by a Civil Guard helicopter. The fate of the other two remained uncertain as concerns grew among rescuers and family members alike.
As dusk approached, GREIM and the Mallorca Mountain Firefighters Group continued operations at the canyon site. A dedicated rescue team ventured into the river on foot while helicopters hovered overhead to assist with extraction and welfare checks. The official update came in the evening with the sad confirmation of the two fatalities after extensive search efforts.
The meteorological agency had forecast heavy rainfall for Mallorca that day, and authorities issued a yellow alert for potential weather-related hazards. Safety agencies urged caution to those exploring the island’s rugged landscapes, particularly in areas prone to sudden water surges and flash floods.
In the aftermath, authorities emphasized the unpredictability of canyoning conditions in the region and reiterated the importance of early awareness of weather developments. Rescuers conveyed their condolences to the families involved and stressed the need for clear safety guidelines when navigating canyons during or after heavy rain events.