A British hiker has been found dead, and another remains missing on the Spanish island of Mallorca after heavy rains struck the popular tourist destination, emergency services reported on Wednesday. The search for the two hikers had been ongoing since Monday night in the mountainous region of Mallorca, where the Torrent de Pareis canyon meets the Mediterranean, according to a police spokeswoman.
Rescue efforts were halted on Wednesday around 7:00 PM GMT due to nightfall, with authorities announcing that the search would resume on Thursday.
“The body found is that of a woman, while the missing person is a man,” police stated, adding that the search for the missing man had been suspended due to worsening weather conditions but would continue once the weather improved.
Juan Carlos Rodriguez, head of the Mountain Rescue Group brigade in the Balearic Islands, said that 10 other hikers who had been in the canyon were rescued after being caught off guard by the storm. The group informed authorities that they had witnessed two individuals being swept away by floodwaters.
Rodriguez emphasized the risks of not checking weather conditions before embarking on outdoor activities, particularly in foreign countries. “When you don’t check the weather, and you’re in a foreign country engaging in sport tourism or beach tourism, it can lead to accidents,” he warned.
Local authorities had previously issued warnings for caution due to anticipated “very intense storms.” Emergency services in the Balearic Islands urged residents and visitors via X (formerly Twitter) to avoid outdoor activities, including beach visits, hiking, and water sports.
Mallorca remained on high alert on Wednesday due to forecasts of heavy rains and strong winds. The national weather office, Aemet, issued warnings for gusts of up to 120 kilometers (75 miles) per hour.
The Mediterranean island, famous for its scenic beaches and sunny climate, is one of Europe’s most visited tourist destinations, attracting large numbers of German and British tourists annually.
