A 21-year-old man accused of carrying out a savage attack on a German tourist in Almeria has been remanded in custody without bail.

The suspect appeared before a judge on Tuesday at the City of Justice in Almeria, who ordered his provisional imprisonment while the investigation continues.

Judicial sources said the exact charges have not yet been formally detailed during this initial stage of proceedings.

The suspect was carrying no identification documents at the time of his arrest and is believed to be originally from either Senegal or Gambia, reports local newspaper Diario de Almeria.

He is accused of attacking a 44-year-old German woman at a campervan parking area near the mouth of the Andarax river on June 21.

According to investigators, the man forced his way into the woman’s motorhome armed with a stick and a knife shortly after 5.30pm.

While police say he did not succeed in carrying out rape, the victim suffered a brutal assault that left her with multiple cuts and injuries across her body.

Reports indicate she also sustained severe facial injuries during the attack.

The ordeal was only brought to an end thanks to the intervention of a passer-by who heard the woman’s screams for help.

The witness reportedly saw the suspect partially undressed and on top of the victim before repeatedly sounding his car horn, causing the attacker to flee into nearby vegetation.

His quick call to emergency services allowed police patrols to arrive within minutes.

The woman was rushed to hospital in Almeria where she received treatment from specialists in gynaecology and forensic medicine.

Police then launched an immediate search for the suspect, locating him shortly afterwards as he attempted to escape.

According to reports, the man fled towards the sea and swam around 100 metres offshore before becoming exhausted in rough waters and beginning to struggle.

In a dramatic rescue, five police officers entered the sea and brought him safely back to shore.

Several of the officers required medical treatment themselves after suffering injuries during the rescue operation.

The suspect will now remain behind bars while criminal proceedings continue. Authorities have not ruled out additional charges as the investigation progresses.