Authorities continue the search for two teenagers who disappeared after an incident at sea the previous Sunday. The missing youths, Maximiliano Fabián Ludvik and Emmanuel Soria, were last seen while using a paddleboard off the beach near La Misericordia. On Friday, the fifth day of the operation, the search area was expanded to cover the entire coastline between the towns of Torrox and Marbella and extended several miles offshore, increasing the search footprint to a vast expanse that now includes more maritime territory and air coverage than in the initial days.
From first light, Civil Guard and Marine Rescue teams have been actively involved. The Salvamar Alnitak patrol boat, operated by Civil Guard authorities, has been conducting searches along the coast. Supporting assets include the Red Cross-launched LS Cronos and the Helimer helicopter, with operations coordinated to maximize reach along the shoreline and over open water.
In the afternoon, additional resources including the Salvamar Gadir and the Salvamar Porter have joined the mission. These vessels are based in Estepona and Vélez-Málaga, respectively, underscoring the regional scale of the response. Earlier, the operation covered more than 7,000 square kilometers, a zone roughly equivalent in size to the entire province of Malaga, and current efforts aim to surpass that already considerable area as the day progresses.
Since their disappearance, there has been no further information about the two teenagers. The National Center for the Disappeared has issued alerts featuring photographs and descriptions to aid in identification, and to facilitate public tips that could advance the investigation and search efforts.
The Salvamar Alnitak has been actively patrolling off Marbella and Fuengirola since morning, with crews maintaining vigilant watch as the search intensifies. The search operation has already yielded a handful of leads, though none have confirmed the whereabouts of Ludvik or Soria.
The only tangible clue so far has been the paddle board and a mate bottle left behind, items associated with the late Sunday morning excursion. In a separate development, a sailboat located approximately 25 miles southeast of Malaga was retrieved by the Salvamar Alnitak crew and brought to the port in Malaga. The distance hints at significant currents and wind the party likely faced on Sunday, when the State Meteorological Agency issued a yellow alert due to strong northeasterly winds that created challenging sea conditions. Such winds can push floating objects and people offshore, complicating rescue efforts.
Meanwhile, family members of the missing individuals have released footage captured by bystanders on a Sunday morning near the breakwater at Huelin. The video depicts two youths seen swimming with paddleboards just before sunrise. The footage also shows the rough surface of the sea and the bright, gusty wind conditions that characterized the early hours, underscoring the dangers present in that marine environment. Civil Guard investigators reportedly possess additional images and data associated with the incident to support the ongoing inquiry.