Search Intensifies for Two Young Men Missing at Sea off Costa del Sol
Spain’s maritime and emergency rescue services have ramped up their efforts to locate two young men who have been missing at sea off the Costa del Sol since Tuesday, 16 January. The search operation has been expanded with additional sea and air resources, and the search radius has been extended to 30 miles south of Malaga as of midday Thursday.
Initial Alarm Raised on Tuesday Evening
The first indication of trouble came at 8.23pm on Tuesday when a friend of the missing duo contacted the Salvamento Marítimo marine rescue service. He reported that the two young men were aboard a 6.5-metre fibreglass boat that had experienced engine failure. The friend, who raised the alarm, stated that he received a distress call from the pair, but their mobile phones lost signal shortly after.
Search Efforts Launched in Last Known Location
According to the friend who reported the incident, the last known coordinates provided by the young men indicated a location approximately 20 nautical miles off the coast of Marbella, near Cabopino. As a result, the initial search operation was launched in that area.
Additional Resources Deployed in Search Operation
To aid in the search, Salvamento Marítimo dispatched the vessel Salvamar Alnitak to the Levante area, while the Red Cross boat, LS Cronos, covered the quadrant towards Benalmádena. A Frontex border control aircraft, a Guardia Civil helicopter, and a patrol boat have also been enlisted in the search operation.
