Llinars del Vallès, Spain – Authorities have recovered a body Sunday from the Mogent River in Llinars del Vallès, Catalonia, in the ongoing search for a driver whose van was swept away by floodwaters Friday afternoon. While formal identification is pending, officials suspect the remains are those of the missing man.
The recovery occurred at approximately 11:34 AM local time (9:34 AM UTC), according to a statement released by the Generalitat de Catalunya’s fire service, the Bombers de la Generalitat. The decreasing water level and flow of the river facilitated the search, allowing crews to intensify efforts along the riverbed from the point where the vehicle was initially swept away to a weir located between Montmeló and Llinars del Vallès – a stretch of approximately 16 kilometers (nearly 10 miles).
The body was located on the left bank of the river, roughly 400 meters (approximately 1,300 feet) from where the van was last seen and 2.4 kilometers (about 1.5 miles) downstream from the river crossing where the incident began. The Mossos d’Esquadra, the Catalan police force, have activated their investigation unit, forensic scientists, and a judicial team to conduct the identification process. The Sistema d’Emergències Mèdiques (SEM), Catalonia’s emergency medical service, has also deployed support personnel to provide psychological assistance to the family.
The search operation was initiated Friday at 2:32 PM local time (12:32 PM UTC) after a family member of the driver contacted emergency services. The driver had reportedly called them from inside the van, stating that the vehicle was becoming submerged and water was entering the cabin. Emergency crews quickly accessed the overturned vehicle, found near the confluence of the Giola stream and the Mogent River, parallel to the AP-7 highway, but the driver was not inside.
The extensive three-day search involved approximately 40 firefighters and twenty crews, including the Grup d’Actuacions Especials (GRAE) – both aquatic and mountain specialists – the Canine Search Group (GRCR) with tracking dogs, a drone team, and a helicopter from the Air Resources unit. Additional support came from the Grup Operatiu de Suport (GROS) and the Active Forest Prevention Team (EPAF). Submarinists from the Barcelona Fire Service and Salvament Marítim (Maritime Rescue), along with the Mossos d’Esquadra, the local police, and the Llinars del Vallès Town Council, also participated in the operation.
The incident occurred when the driver attempted to navigate a river crossing that had been closed by local police. The van was carried approximately 1.5 kilometers (just over a mile) downstream from the crossing, near the Flamagas company facility. The driver’s initial call to family alerted authorities to the unfolding emergency.
The search efforts were hampered by initial conditions, but improved as the river’s water level receded. The Bombers de la Generalitat explained that the reduced flow and water depth allowed for a more focused search of the riverbed. The operation covered a significant area, extending from the point where the vehicle entered the water all the way to the Mediterranean Sea, a perimeter of approximately 40 kilometers (25 miles).
This incident underscores the dangers of attempting to cross flooded roadways. Authorities routinely close crossings during periods of heavy rainfall to prevent such tragedies. The Mossos d’Esquadra are investigating the circumstances surrounding the driver’s decision to attempt the crossing despite the closure.
The recovery of a body brings a somber end to a multi-day search. While the formal identification process is underway, authorities are operating under the assumption that the remains are those of the missing driver. Further updates will be provided as they become available.
The next step in the process is the formal identification of the recovered remains, which is expected to be completed in the coming days. Authorities will then release further information regarding the circumstances of the incident and any potential findings from their investigation.
