Firefighters in Quinindé, Ecuador are conducting search operations for two missing minors and an elderly person presumed to have drowned in local rivers.
Two minors were reported missing on Sunday, February 22, after allegedly falling into the Inga and Blanco rivers in Quinindé, Esmeraldas province. The first incident involved a 2-year-old boy who was playing with family members at the river's edge when he was swept away by the current. The second case occurred in the Piedra de Vapor area, where a 13-year-old adolescent disappeared in the Blanco River while swimming.
Search operations were initially launched by the La Unión Fire Department, with rescuers working to locate the missing individuals. However, efforts were temporarily halted due to heavy rainfall in the regions of Quinindé and La Concordia, which made conditions dangerous for search teams. The search resumed on the morning of Monday, February 23, as the authorities continue to press on with their efforts to find the missing children and possibly an elderly individual who has not been accounted for.
This incident comes at a time when rainy conditions are prevalent in the area, raising concerns about water safety and the importance of vigilance by adults when children are near water bodies. Authorities are hoping for a swift resolution to the situation, as communities come together in support of the families affected by this tragedy.
