A Guardia Civil officer has died during a dramatic anti-drug trafficking operation off the coast of Huelva after two police boats collided while pursuing a suspected narco-boat.

The tragedy unfolded on Friday morning in waters between Punta Umbria and Mazagon during an operation targeting smugglers along Andalucia’s Atlantic coast.

According to the Guardia Civil, one officer – identified only as German – was killed in the collision while three other officers were injured.

Two of the injured agents are said to be in a serious condition, while another suffered lighter injuries.

Authorities say the accident occurred during the pursuit of a suspected ‘narcolancha’ when two vessels belonging to the Guardia Civil Maritime Service collided with each other while attempting to intercept the smugglers.

Spanish reports identified the boats involved as the patrol vessel Rio Antas and another semi-rigid Guardia Civil craft.

Emergency rescue operations were launched immediately after the crash amid fears both damaged vessels could sink.

Sources say assistance was requested from the Spanish Navy to help tow the boats to safety.

A major rescue and security response has since been mobilised from Cadiz, including a helicopter, a Customs Surveillance Service vessel and additional maritime units tasked with both rescue operations and the continued pursuit of the fleeing narco-boat believed to have triggered the operation.

The Guardia Civil publicly expressed its grief over the death of the officer and sent support to the injured agents and their families.

The Unified Association of Guardia Civil Officers, AUGC, also issued a statement expressing its ‘shock’ over the tragedy and sending ‘strength, support and affection’ to relatives and colleagues.

Meanwhile, Antonio Sanz, Andalucía’s regional minister responsible for emergencies and security, said he was ‘devastated’ by the death of the officer.

‘All our support and wishes for the speedy recovery of the injured agents. Rest in peace,’ he wrote.

Emergency agency 112 Andalucía also paid tribute to the officer, describing him as having died ‘in the fight against drug trafficking’.

No further official details have yet been released regarding the exact circumstances of the collision or whether the suspected narco-boat ultimately escaped.