The Mossos d'Esquadra, Catalonia's police force, are intensifying their search efforts for Jimmy Gracey, a third-year student from the University of Alabama who disappeared in Barcelona. The search was expanded on Thursday to include underwater and maritime units at the Port Olímpic, focusing on the area where Gracey was last seen early Tuesday morning after a night out. His disappearance prompted immediate concern given that he did not return to his accommodation after a visit to a local nightclub.

Jimmy Gracey, originally from Elmhurst, had traveled to Europe during his spring break to visit friends and had arrived in Barcelona on Monday morning following a stopover in Amsterdam. His night out included a trip to the popular nightclub Shoko in the vicinity of Port Olímpic, where he was last spotted around 3 AM. Eyewitness accounts indicate that he was at the club with a friend, though they parted ways earlier in the night.

This case has garnered significant attention, particularly due to its implications for tourists in Barcelona, a city that sees a high volume of international visitors. The involvement of maritime units in the search highlights the seriousness of the situation and the urgency felt by both the police and the local community as they hope to locate Gracey safely and quickly.