More than 120 emergency personnel are conducting a large-scale search operation along the River Gallegos in Santa Cruz Province, Argentina, following the disappearance of two young brothers. The incident occurred on Sunday afternoon when the siblings were swept away by strong currents while playing near the La Toma sector in Palermo Aike.
The alarm was raised around 4:00 PM after the children, identified as José (12) and Leo (10), were separated from two older teenagers aged 14 and 15. While the adolescents managed to reach safety, they lost sight of the younger boys within seconds. One of the teen survivors was transported to the Regional Hospital of Río Gallegos for observation and psychological support .
The rescue effort involves multiple agencies, including the National Gendarmerie, Naval Prefecture, Provincial Police, Firefighters, and Rural Operations Division. Tactics include underwater diving teams, land patrols, quad bike sweeps, and drone surveillance. However, operations faced a significant setback due to safety protocols. Sandra Gordillo, Undersecretary of Civil Protection, confirmed that night-time water searches were suspended because of dangerous conditions, including deep pools and unpredictable currents .
Key details regarding the missing children include:
Authorities have requested that local residents avoid the area to prevent interference with the rescue teams. The search resumed at dawn on Monday, with families receiving psychological assistance from health officials .