A routine practice near the Rabasa lagoons turned into a life-saving moment when a 31-year-old man, missing since last Friday, was found alive and well by a SPEIS firefighter and his canine partner. Rafa Arnau, part of the Canine Unit of the Alicante SPEIS, was walking his dog when the search intensified after relatives reported Darwin missing. The rescuer, who is trained in search and rescue operations, did not hesitate to respond when the family presented a photograph and asked for help. According to local security authorities, the man was found dehydrated but conscious and was immediately cared for by the responding team.
The sequence began on Friday morning when Darwin failed to return home. Concern grew as relatives filed a missing person report with the police, and volunteers began posters and social outreach to locate him. Early Saturday, the search widened with a concerted effort around the Rabasa lagoons, where a known walking route led the family to notice Rafa Arnau and his canine partner nearby. This encounter occurred at approximately ten o’clock, with the team ready to assist as soon as the photo was shown.
Rafa Arnau identified himself as a SPEIS firefighter and joined the family in the field. He quickly mobilized his colleagues to bring additional help, and despite the mission being outside regular duty hours, the dog handler proceeded with the search. The knowledge of the terrain proved crucial as the team coordinated several search paths, focusing on areas where a person who wandered away might be found. After approximately two hours of coordinated effort, Darwin was located alive, displaying signs of dehydration but otherwise in good physical condition. He was escorted back to his relatives and received medical observation on the scene before being taken to a safer location for further care. The rescue was promptly reported to the National Police to document the success and ensure ongoing accountability of the operation.
Rafa Arnau and Nala, his canine partner, became a noted highlight of the day, symbolizing the effectiveness of dedicated search and rescue units in the province. A nearby official stated that the operation exemplified the daily commitment of SPEIS to locate missing persons quickly and safely, praising the teamwork that made the rescue possible. The rapid outcome demonstrated how trained dogs and seasoned firefighters can coordinate under pressure to bring about effective results in a relatively short time.
Members of the Security Council also acknowledged the SPEIS team for their ongoing efforts. They commended the firefighters for their swift decision-making and field readiness, which contributed to a successful outcome under challenging conditions. The recognition underlined the capacity of the unit to adapt to each incident with precision and calm, emphasizing public safety and community trust in such missions.
SPEIS emphasizes that its specialist firefighters, along with the Canine Firefighters Unit, are equipped to monitor, search, and rescue missing persons. The dogs are trained specifically for field operations, capable of following scent trails, locating people, and aiding in the safe recovery of those who may be disoriented or in distress. The organization stresses ongoing training, regular practice drills, and the integration of canine teams into broader rescue tasks to ensure readiness for similar emergencies in Alicante and beyond.
Rafa Arnau’s successful rescue demonstrates the practical benefits of maintaining a high level of canine-assisted readiness. It also highlights the critical role of community and family involvement, triage care on the ground, and the importance of reporting disappearances promptly so responders can act fast when lives may be at risk. The incident addition to the record shows how public safety agencies continually work to improve outcomes for people who go missing in coastal and lagoon environments, where terrain can complicate search efforts. Attribution: SPEIS and local security authorities.
Rafa Arnau with Nala