On Sunday morning, a large-scale search operation began in the vicinity of Navarrés, in Valencia province, after alarming news: a 12-year-old boy had gone missing in a nearby forest area. The alert was received around 10 a.m., and within minutes the first rescue teams arrived at the scene.
From the very beginning, firefighters, forest fire specialists, and emergency personnel were involved in the search. A helicopter circled above the forest, carefully scanning hard-to-reach areas. On the ground, several teams worked, including experienced forest patrols and rescuers accustomed to the challenging mountain terrain.
Throughout the day, additional forces joined the operation. Drones equipped with high-resolution cameras were deployed, allowing rescuers to survey dense thickets and ravines that were difficult to access on foot. Canine units with dogs capable of tracking scents even in challenging weather conditions also took part in the search.
People and technology: teamwork pushed to the limit
Helicopter V-990, several fire crews, BRIFO forest teams, and mountain search specialists worked together, coordinating operations through mobile command posts. Every hour brought new information, which was immediately analyzed and used to adjust the search routes.
Special attention was paid to the most inaccessible areas of the forest, where the boy could have taken shelter or accidentally gotten lost. Not only people but also equipment was used in these zones: drones, thermal imaging cameras, and trained dogs capable of detecting a person by scent even from a great distance.
Local residents also joined the operation, helping to comb the area and supporting rescuers with water and food. Information in the search headquarters was updated constantly to ensure that no detail was overlooked.
Search efforts expand: new resources and renewed hope
By midday, additional units joined the search. New canine teams and drone specialists arrived on site. Their task was to survey the hardest-to-reach areas where conventional methods were ineffective.
Not only local services were involved in the search, but also regional teams. The entire operation was strictly coordinated to avoid duplication of efforts and to use available resources as efficiently as possible.
Every hour, new volunteers join the search. Dozens of people are working in the forest, holding on to hope of finding the boy safe and sound. The operation continues despite fatigue and challenging weather conditions.
