A body has been found during the search for a 45-year-old woman who was swept away by the swollen Turvilla river in Malaga on Wednesday.
Carolina, aka Carol, jumped into the river in an attempt to rescue one of her two dogs but was dragged away by the strong current caused by torrential rain in Sayalonga.
According to reports, the rescue team found the body of a woman at around 1pm on Friday, approximately 1,000 metres from where Carolina disappeared.
The body is believed to belong to Carolina, although an autopsy and official identification have yet to take place.
Her partner, who was with her at the time, raised the alarm after seeing her fall into the water near the old washhouse bridge, around one kilometre from the village centre.
More than 50 personnel from the Guardia Civil, firefighters, local police, Civil Protection and volunteers searched a seven-kilometre stretch of river, from Sayalonga towards Algarrobo, close to where the river reaches the sea.
Ground teams had been working continuously along the riverbanks since Wednesday night.
Specialist underwater and mountain rescue units were forced to withdraw from the water after dark due to the dangerous conditions, with the river carrying heavy debris, strong currents and agricultural waste, but the search resumed on Friday morning.
A helicopter and drone unit were deployed on Thursday morning but later suspended because of worsening weather, with the area placed under an orange weather alert for rain and wind.
The dog involved – a water dog – was found alive.
Carol, originally from Torremolinos, had lived in Sayalonga for over a decade and worked as a yoga teacher. Friends and neighbours describe her as well known and active in the local community.
Read more Andalucia news at the Spanish Eye.
