The Palau-sator missing man search is now a night-time aerial operation using drones. Emergency services shifted strategy after severe currents and dangerous debris forced teams to suspend aquatic rescue attempts earlier today.
The 63-year-old man, a resident of Fontanilles, disappeared this morning when floodwaters swept his vehicle away. Meanwhile, divers and boats have been withdrawn for safety. However, the Generalitat Fire Department (Bombers) confirmed that drone units and ground support will remain active throughout the night. This incident is another recent emergency response involving Generalitat firefighters, who often handle a wide range of critical situations.
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Dangerous conditions halt water search in Palau-sator
Rescue teams faced extreme difficulties throughout the day due to the state of the water. The stream, which is typically dry, surged to depths of four to six metres in some sections. Consequently, emergency personnel reported that the strong flow and large debris made it impossible for divers to operate safely.
Access issues also prevented heavy machinery from reaching the site to clear obstacles. Therefore, the aquatic unit of the Mossos d’Esquadra withdrew from the scene this afternoon. They plan to return tomorrow morning at 10:30 am to reassess the situation.
Driver trapped by rising waters during Palau-sator search
The incident began around 07:34 am when emergency services received the initial distress call. The missing man, who works as a delivery driver for a local bakery, was attempting to cross the Nova stream (also known as the Grossa stream) during his rounds. This event highlights the dangers drivers can face, a topic explored in a recent study on dangerous roads and accident risks in Catalonia.
According to Jordi Riembau, the mayor of Palau-sator, the driver realised he could not proceed but became trapped by the rapidly rising water. He managed to call a friend for help while still inside the vehicle. Although the friend rushed to the Rec del Molí sector, they were unable to reach the car before the current swept it away.
Operations to resume at first light in Palau-sator
Search teams located a vehicle in the area during the afternoon, but operational sources confirmed it was empty and did not belong to the missing man. Therefore, the Special Actions Group (GRAE) divers intend to resume the underwater search early tomorrow, provided the water levels decrease significantly.
This incident occurs amidst broader weather warnings for the region. In addition, the Generalitat has issued an official alert regarding increased river flows and maritime storms affecting the north-east of the country. The storm has particularly impacted the Empordà and Gironès regions, causing normally dry watercourses to overflow.
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