Father Alfonso Avilés, a well-respected member of the Catholic Church in Ecuador, tragically drowned on Friday, March 13, while trying to rescue an altar boy who was in distress at Playas, located in the Guayas region. Avilés was attending a retreat with other clergy and altar boys when the incident occurred, which has deeply affected the local religious community and the parish of San Alberto Magno, where he served as a pastor.

The incident unfolded during a retreat with other priests and altar boys, during which Avilés reportedly saw one of the boys struggling in the sea and rushed to assist him, ultimately leading to his own drowning. While all of the altar boys on the retreat returned safely to their homes, the search continues for another priest, Pedro Asuátegui, who was swept away by the current and is currently missing.

The parish community has mourned the loss of Avilés, who was noted for his three decades of dedicated service as a priest. The church has called for prayers for both Avilés and Asuátegui as search efforts persist, highlighting the risks faced by those in public service and the strong ties within the religious community in Ecuador.