Juan José Mutilba, 66, disappeared after falling from his boat between Sicily and Greece. His wife spent three days adrift before managing to call for help. Italian and Greek rescue teams continue the search.
Search operations are underway in the Mediterranean after Spanish businessman Juan José Mutilba, 66, went missing at sea between Sicily and Greece. According to family members, Mutilba fell overboard from his private boat last Tuesday while traveling with his wife. The incident occurred during a voyage from Siracusa, Italy, to Pilos, Greece, a route the couple had planned as part of their regular sailing activities since Mutilba's retirement in 2021.
Family accounts indicate that the accident happened early Tuesday morning. Mutilba reportedly slipped on fish blood after catching a tuna and fell into the water. His wife, who was on board at the time, was unable to react effectively. She attempted to contact emergency services, but the vessel was out of mobile coverage. As a result, the boat drifted away from the site of the incident, leaving her stranded and unable to raise the alarm.
It was not until Friday, three days after the accident, that the woman regained mobile signal and managed to call a family friend with expertise in navigation. This friend then alerted Spanish maritime authorities, who coordinated with their Italian and Greek counterparts. Greek rescue teams eventually located the drifting boat and towed it to the port of Pilos, where the woman was brought to safety. The search for Mutilba remains active, with both Italian and Greek maritime services involved.
The family has also contacted the Spanish embassy in Rome to request additional support. The case highlights the risks faced by private sailors in open waters, especially when communication is lost. Similar incidents have drawn attention to maritime safety in the region, as seen in other recent news such as the fatal accident involving a pedestrian in Madrid, which also prompted emergency responses and raised questions about rapid intervention in critical situations.
Spain has a significant community of recreational sailors, many of whom travel between Mediterranean ports. The incident underscores the importance of reliable communication equipment and emergency protocols on private vessels. While authorities continue their search, the case serves as a reminder of the unpredictable dangers at sea and the challenges faced by rescue teams operating across international waters.
