An 18-year-old man died on Saturday afternoon after jumping into the Ametlla de Merola weir in Puig-reig, in Berguedà, according to the Bombers de la Generalitat and the emergency call handled by 112.
The alert came in at 3.22pm, and the main consequence for local residents and families is a renewed warning to avoid swimming in weirs and river sections with strong currents, especially in summer. If you are planning a river visit in the area, follow the safety advice from the news desk and check official emergency guidance before entering the water.
Search and rescue response
According to the Bombers de la Generalitat, 12 fire service units were sent to the scene, including specialist GRAE rescue teams, divers and a helicopter. The helicopter searched a stretch of the Llobregat river to check whether the young man had been carried away by the current.
Firefighters said the search was made harder by a circular current in the area where the group was swimming. Teams searched in the water and along about 200 metres of riverbank from the last known sighting point at the weir. At 4.59pm, firefighters found the body in the water and began resuscitation efforts, but they were unable to save his life.
Police and medical teams
Six Mossos d'Esquadra units also attended and are handling the judicial proceedings, according to the police. Medical support included two ambulances, a medicalised helicopter and a team of psychologists from the Sistema d'Emergències Mèdiques, or SEM, which assisted those affected by the incident.
This was the third death in Catalonia's natural environment reported on Saturday, according to the Mossos d'Esquadra. Earlier, police found a missing diver dead in Cadaqués, and another person died after falling into Medacorba port in Alins. Readers who live near the Llobregat or use local river spots in Berguedà should treat weirs and fast-moving water as high-risk areas and follow any local warnings from the Ajuntament or emergency services.
For updates on official safety notices and local reporting, keep an eye on the Bombers de la Generalitat and Mossos d'Esquadra channels, and check this site’s news coverage for further developments.
