Woman Dies After Falling Into River While Trying to Save Dog During Storm Leonardo
A 45-year-old woman, identified as Carolina, has died after falling into the Turvilla River in Sayalonga, Málaga, while attempting to rescue her dog during Storm Leonardo. Emergency services recovered her body on Friday, approximately one kilometer from where she was last seen on Wednesday.
The incident occurred while Carolina was walking with a friend when the strong current of the overflowing river swept her away. Her companion immediately alerted emergency services. According to reports, Carolina, originally from Torremolinos, had been living in the Axarquía district for over a decade.
The search operation was intensified with the use of canine units, ultimately leading to the discovery of her body around 1:00 PM on Friday. While formal identification and an autopsy are pending, authorities believe the recovered body is that of Carolina.
Carolina worked as a yoga teacher and was also known for selling natural products through her social media channels. She had recently turned 45.
The tragedy unfolded as Storm Leonardo battered parts of Spain, forcing the evacuation of over 11,000 people in Andalusia alone. The storm, which has since lost some intensity and moved away from the Iberian Peninsula, caused widespread disruption due to rising river levels, including the Guadalquivir.
Spanish Prime Minister Pedro Sánchez visited Andalusia on Friday, before the discovery of Carolina’s body, to assess the damage and call for prudence as another weather front approaches. He urged citizens to stay informed through emergency services and heed the advice of public authorities. “This is how we can guarantee safety,” Sánchez stated.
Juanma Moreno, the president of the Andalusian Regional Government, expressed his condolences, lamenting that this incident was “yet another of the many consequences of this atmospheric river that is causing so much damage.”
The State Meteorological Agency (Aemet) has warned of the arrival of a new storm, raising concerns about further potential disruptions and the need for continued vigilance.
