The Civil Guard is investigating the death of a 55-year-old environmental officer who had been missing since Tuesday and was found on Wednesday. Early reports suggest he may have died after being swept away by a stream, which, if confirmed, would mark the first death connected to Storm Efrain in Spain.
Authorities from the Armed Institute are seeking to confirm or refute this hypothesis, according to investigative sources cited by EFE. The body of the agent was located near a creek about 1.5 kilometers from the municipality of Cabeza de Faramontanos, the area from which his vehicle had been seen departing.
Following the discovery, Head of Government Pedro Sánchez offered his condolences on social media, expressing love and solidarity with the family and friends of the deceased in Salamanca.
He wrote that he was in solidarity with the family and colleagues of the environmental agent who died in the province of Salamanca. He noted that the recent heavy rains have caused significant damage in many areas, and that human losses are impossible to replace.
Pedro Sánchez’s post underscored the gravity of the tragedy and the profound impact on those who knew the victim. He also stated that the country would remember the officer’s service and sacrifice.
The sub-delegation of the government in Salamanca, represented by Incarnation Perez, expressed sorrow upon confirming the death of the public official who carried out his duties with dedication.
Disappearance was reported on Tuesday afternoon, prompting a search operation that was hampered by weather conditions and nighttime constraints. In addition to ground personnel, all available resources of the Civil Guard were deployed in the effort, including search dogs, helicopters, and aerial drones. The local authorities described the operation as comprehensive and urgent.
On Wednesday afternoon, the regional government held a plenary session where the head of the Junta, Alfonso Fernández Mañueco, lamented the loss of the forest agent. He highlighted the agent’s known connections within the community and emphasized the important services the victim provided to the region.
Luis Tudanca, the regional leader of the PSOE, opened remarks at the assembly by acknowledging the worker who had died and offering condolences to the family and colleagues in the autonomous community’s administration.