Two 11-year-old twins were found dead in the Ter river in Manlleu. The boys disappeared after swimming late Monday. Police and rescue teams launched a major search. Their identities await official confirmation.
Rescue teams in Manlleu (Barcelona province) have recovered the bodies of two 11-year-old twin brothers from the Ter river, ending an intense search that began late Monday night. The children vanished after reportedly playing football and then entering the river for a swim, a decision that proved fatal as neither was a strong swimmer. Their disappearance triggered a large-scale operation involving local police, Mossos d’Esquadra, drones, and underwater units.
The alarm was raised after the boys failed to return home by 21:00, the usual closing time of the school football pitch where they often played. Their father filed a missing persons report past midnight, prompting authorities to mobilize search teams along the riverbanks and in the water. By Tuesday morning, emergency crews discovered clothing matching the description provided by the family, strengthening suspicions that the boys had entered the river before vanishing.
At around 13:00 on Tuesday, divers located the first body at a depth of three meters. The second was found an hour later, not far from the initial site. The family, present at the scene, was informed immediately. While the physical descriptions and clothing strongly indicate the bodies are those of the missing twins, full identification will be completed at the Institute of Legal Medicine of Catalonia (IMELEC) using fingerprint analysis. An autopsy will clarify the precise circumstances, though accidental drowning is considered the most likely cause.
This incident has shaken the local community, highlighting the dangers of unsupervised swimming in rivers, especially after dark and for those without strong swimming skills. The Ter river, which runs through several towns in Catalonia, is known for its variable currents and depth, making it hazardous in certain stretches. Local authorities regularly warn residents about the risks, particularly during warmer months when children are more likely to seek relief in natural water sources.
Tragic accidents involving children and water are not uncommon in Spain, especially during the summer. In a separate case, a wildfire in Almería led to multiple fatalities after residents attempted to escape via a dead-end route, as detailed in this report on the Los Gallardos incident. Both events underscore the importance of safety awareness and rapid emergency response in preventing further loss of life.
According to official statistics, accidental drownings remain a significant public safety concern in Spain, with rivers and reservoirs accounting for a notable share of incidents involving minors. Authorities continue to urge families to supervise children closely near water and to educate them about the risks, especially in areas without lifeguards or clear signage. The outcome of the investigation in Manlleu may prompt renewed calls for local safety measures and community education to help prevent similar tragedies in the future.
