The sea rescue coordinators continue to search for two teenagers who disappeared on Sunday after a rowing practice. The coordinated effort by sea and air units has expanded the search area to about 7,000 square kilometers, a scale roughly comparable to the entire province of Malaga. The operation relies on round-the-clock activity, with crews working an average of fifteen hours each day as the search progresses from start to finish, keeping momentum through a fourth consecutive day of mobilization on Thursday.
Responses from the authorities indicate that the surface search covered vast stretches, integrating vessels such as Salvamar Alnitak (Sea Rescue) and LS Kronos (Red Cross), along with the Helimer 207 helicopter. These assets are directing their focus along the coastline and offshore areas southeast of Malaga, with guidance oriented diagonally toward the island of Alborán. The goal remains to pinpoint any sign of the teens in these maritime corridors.
Thus far, the only tangible clue has been the location of a mate infusion set on a table, a small camp arrangement that indicated the point from which the teens had set sail at La Misericordia beach. A metal straw that doubles as a spoon and drinking utensil for the infusion was observed. On Monday afternoon, a sailboat about 15 miles southeast of Malaga was located and taken in tow by the Alnitak crew, eventually arriving at the port of the capital for assessment and safety checks.
since sunday night
The search device was activated around 03:15 on Monday after Emergencias 112 received a report from a private individual at the Tarifa Centre. The caller indicated that two friends had left La Misericordia beach on Sunday morning aboard a paddleboard and did not return, prompting the coordinated rescue effort.
The teens had apparently planned to reach the sea to witness the sunrise around 7:30 a.m. on Sunday. Reports indicate their sighting along the coastline occurred at about 7:44 a.m. in Malaga. They were carrying only a thermos and a mate gourd. On the day of the disappearance, authorities issued a yellow wind warning for the Costa del Sol, including the capital, and for the Guadalhorce region due to meteorological conditions that elevated wind activity along the coast.
The State Meteorological Agency (Aemet) had issued the yellow alert for both the Costa del Sol and Guadalhorce, warning of strong northwest winds. In the Axarquía area, gusts reached coastal levels that influenced sea conditions, complicating search operations and team movements offshore.
Relatives contacted the National Police, and the Civil Guard eventually assumed the lead in the investigation, coordinating with local authorities and rescue services to extend the search and monitor all plausible routes the teens might have taken. The operation remains ongoing as crews continue to scan the sea, coastline, and nearby ports for any potential trace of the missing individuals. (Authorities, Civil Guard updates)