In a rural area of the Tibi municipality, a 73-year-old man who had been missing since Sunday noon was found deceased a few hours later, according to sources from the Alicante Firefighters Provincial Consortium. Shortly before 2:00 p.m., relatives reported that the man was deaf and did not wear hearing aids. He had reportedly gone out to walk his dog along the bed of the Verd River near the Terol estate development, located at the 10th kilometer mark of the CV-805 road.
The Alicante Firefighters Provincial Consortium activated a coordinated response that included a sergeant from the Cocentaina fire station, a corporal, and four firefighters from the Ibi substation. In addition, the Mountain Rescue Group was mobilized, with the Alpha 1 helicopter joining the operation. The missing person’s location was soon identified along the riverine environment. Despite initial hopes, the individual showed no vital signs upon discovery. A doctor from the Rescue Group certified the death on site. The search operation was concluded at 4:00 p.m., and the Civil Guards assumed responsibility for the situation thereafter, relying on the same sources for the update.
The response involved personnel from the Provincial Consortium’s Mountain Rescue Group and Civil Guard officers, supported by a command unit from the regional headquarters and a heavy fire truck stationed at the Ibi substation. The coordinated effort underscored the challenges of conducting searches in rural river corridors where access can be difficult and conditions variable. Public safety officials emphasized that swift mobilization and clear communication among services are essential in missing-person cases that escalate to recovery operations in remote terrain.
Details from the incident indicate that the man had recently left his residence to accompany his dog near the Verd River corridor, a route popular among locals for its scenic value. The terrain along the river can change rapidly with weather and natural features, which can complicate search patterns. Rescue teams utilized aerial reconnaissance, ground teams, and a command structure that enabled rapid decision-making and resource allocation. As the afternoon wore on, responders coordinated their efforts to methodically cover likely access points and river crossings while ensuring the safety of search personnel in potentially unstable ground and water conditions. The Civil Guard’s involvement ensured that the situation was managed with appropriate oversight and adherence to protocol, including securing the scene, documenting the sequence of events, and guiding the next steps for any further investigations or follow-up actions.